Wednesday, January 17, 2007

John Singer Sargent Influences


This is my first effort at attempting a watercolour from my own composition but observing the colours, values and style of JSS. I photographed these little lemon trees late on a winter afternoon - so no chance of a sun-kissed reference full of wonderful dramatic shadows! I had to make it up.

I considered using candle wax for highlights as JSS did in some of his watercolours but opted for a white oil pastel which I used to give some texture to the wall, pots and ground. In future I would prefer to leave the paper clean for dramatic highlights but will certainly use this trick again on walls.

I wish I hadn't been quite so violent with the violet so close to that Light Red terra. It pleases HWEM and it pleases me enough to continue on this path.

Oh dear, is that JSS I hear, turning in his grave?

8 comments:

Justin said...

Hii Robyn, your art work is simply wonderful. Really, you have a very gud sense of color n know how to do with those light n shade part.

keep it up
all the best

Robyn Sinclair said...

Hi Justin, thank you for you thoughtful comments. I see you are an animal lover - sorry I didn't have more dog pictures for you. My two refuse to pose.

Anonymous said...

Well DONE, Robyn! You have a natural gift with light, I think---and the studying of Sargent is helping, I'm sure. I really like the purple shadows. I'd suggest lightly drybrushing some violet or cobalt-dabbed-at-with-violet into the terrace itself to give more texture and to pull things together. That said, I do think this is stunning!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Laura - You've made my day! Thank you. I also appreciate the tip. I have probably been too timid with the drybrushing of violet but I understand and will carry the knowledge into the next painting. I've reposted the photo but since it's a cool day here today I think I've lost some colour temperature and the photo doesn't look as warm as it should.

Maggie Stiefvater said...

Hey!! Good enough for me! I've blogged you on my JSS project wrap up post and I hope you'll join us for our Feb. artist? Hmmmmm??

Robyn Sinclair said...

Maggie - thank you for including me in your wrap up and your generous comment. I'll would love to join you and Van Gogh!

Anonymous said...

OH HOW I LOVE your lemon trees!! I am so in the mood for lemons and LOVE how they grow throughout Italy -- I envy you your time there .. My visit to Sicily 18 months ago seems so long ... but it was a most wonderful time. Your work is incredible!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Lin thank you so much for your enthusiasm and far too generous praise. I suspect it is your memory of the warm sun of Sicily that I benefit from. I still have Sicily to look forward to. I don't think they have to wheel their lemons inside for the winter.

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