Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Composition Exercise Evolves in Acrylic


Acrylic on Oil Sketch Paper 13.5 x 25cm

I'm really happy with this one! As far as composition goes, I just went for what felt right.

The reason I'm happy with it is because I just sat down and painted it, no pencil or charcoal lines, just straight in with the brush. I know there's nothing new about that approach but it's a first for me. The result was some less than real proportions but it's more painterly, isn't it?

I really enjoyed this limited palette. First the entire paper was covered with Yellow Ochre and then over-painted with Titanium White, Payne's Grey and Mars Black.

30 comments:

Elizabeth A Patterson said...

Nice, Robyn! I think the combination of your direct painting approach and your complementary palette has brought this scene to life!

Making A Mark said...

I remember the first time I did that - painting with a brush and no under-drawing. It's nerve-wracking at first and then you begin to wonder what all the fuss is about!

I very much like your new simplified approach.

Lin said...

SPECTACULAR, ROBYN!!! AND CONGRATS ON THE NO DRAWING FIRST! I so agree about the perspective ... the harder I try to get it right -- the worse it looks -- but 'about eye level' seems to work ... I think this is FANTASTIC!!!!! BRAVA~!!!

Dermott said...

Yeah yeah, I finger-paint - well, oversized paw-paint - without drawing first.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Dermott - I apologise. I didn't realise that was Art I was vacuuming off the rug by the back door!

Sandy said...

I absolutely love this, it is glowing and warm and simply wonderful!

Dermott said...

Yeah yeah, this is what it boils down to:

YOU: "You call that art"?

ME: "You call that vacuuming"?

Casey Klahn said...

I think you have succeeded, here. The value range is perfect, and it is the best of the lot!

joe@italyville.com said...

Great work. Bravissima! Joe

E-J said...

Wouldn't have guessed you had bypassed the drawing stage, as those lines are so straight! The texture of the oil sketch paper is very effective and so is your use of the limited palette.

dinahmow said...

It works well with the limited pallette.
(By the way, has Dermott read "Why Cats Paint", by Burton Silver? He might find some tips!)

Robyn Sinclair said...

Dinah - Thank you :) I can't wait to hear what Dermott makes of 'Why Cats Pant'.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Of course I meant Why Cats PAINT. Dermott knows exactly why Cats pant!

Dermott said...

Why do cats pant? Who wouldn't pant with 45 kilos of hairy oversized buffoon chasing them?

seesue said...

Cats, dogs and painters too! Robyn to get back to your painting for a moment. First, lOvE it! Second, thanks so much for describing what you've done (undercoating) love the yellow ochre glowing through I'm thinking leaving the background in the right spots was more the challange because third, you certainally are not missing any lines as a starting point.

juj said...

you should be really happy Robyn - it's BEAUTIFUL!!!

caseytoussaint said...

Robyn, this is wonderful! You've been working so hard lately, and really moving forward with your technique. I agree with everyone - this one really came together. That said, I adore the still life with chair that you posted a little while ago too.

Anonymous said...

Robyn - I was so overjoyed to see these. That are wonderful. Your drawing practice has paid off when it comes to using the brush now. A great technique for capturing these historical structures. The weathered forms are justly honored.
Great Job!

Kim said...

lovely composition and limited palette Robyn...
I am was absolutely amazed to see your first attempt at a graphite portrait....so accomplished...

ps
you can find the code for my badge here
Top 101 Artists' Blogs (About)

Robyn Sinclair said...

Liz - Many thanks, that's music to my ears.

Katherine - Thank you, I think most people here know how much I owe to you!

Lin - Thank you and congratulations on your own breakthrough with a loose approach.

Sandy - Thank you too. I was very excited when I saw it was going to glow :)

Casey K - I'm delighted you think so! :)

e-j - Lovely to see you again and thank you. Flat brushes make it fairly easy to get straight lines. I'm about to try them with watercolour.

Dinah - Thank you. I bet it's wonderfully warm where you are right now ;) Enjoy!

Seesue - It's funny how one can know something in theory but not realise how well it will work. I can't believe I haven't tried this before.

Judi - Your feedback always means heaps to me. :)

Casey T - Welcome back! Does this mean you are on line again?! And thank you for liking the earlier still life. I've been feeling very flat about it.

Robin - Thank you! It pleases me enormously that you think I'm making progress.

Kim - Thank you too. I've found the code for your widget, now if I could only remember how to get it on to my template. I'm going to have to read up again.

quirkyartist said...

Finally switched my computer back on after the roadworks (don't ask) and catching up on things. I love the way the ochre and payne's grey give that complementary look that pops. But subtle, just the same. Very brave to go-for-it with no drawing. Raining in Sydney for 3 days now and expecting another week of it.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Wendy - Raining here for three days too, if it makes you feel any better ;) Smell of wet dogs not to be recommended either!

Thanks so much for you comment, I really need to do another of these brush only paintings soon before I lose my nerve.

mARTa said...

This just makes me want to pack my backpack and hop a plane and jump on a train and go knock on your door! In many ways it reminds me a little of the piazza you took me to in Florence, the one with the Hospedale di Innocentis. Everyting about this painting is perfect!!!!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, Robyn! I love this limited palette--you continue to surprise me!

Anonymous said...

this one is just as beautiful robyn, once again wth a different and beautiful composition and a lovely choice of palette. I love your diagonal lines and those of the wall at the right and the strokes on the ground that follow it..love this one!
ronell

Susan's Scribbles said...

Robyn, reading your blog makes my day! I enjoy your stories of Italy and Australia and love your art work. So I'm giving you the YOU MADE MY DAY award. You can get more info on my blog. And thank you for making my day!

'A Tuscan view.....from Umbria' said...

Hi Robyn, I just found your blog via bleeding espresso and I think it's great. I am going to spend some time looking at your past posts. I really like the development of your pastel sketch to acrylic, it has worked really well and the limited palette you have used suits the subject perfectly. Bravissima, Ciao a

Anonymous said...

Hi Robyn, I just found your blog via bleeding espresso and I think it's great. I am going to spend some time looking at your past posts. I really like the development of your pastel sketch to acrylic, it has worked really well and the limited palette you have used suits the subject perfectly. Bravissima, Ciao a

Robyn Sinclair said...

Marta - Thank you. I'm still kicking myself that I didn't paint that day.

Laura - :)

Ronell - Thank you and have a wonderful holiday in SA.

Susan - Wow, thank you. How lovely. I will pass this on as soon as I am able.

Amanda - Nice to meet you and thank you. Good luck with your Italian painting holidays too.

You can check out Amanda's blog about living in Umbria here:
www.tuscanyandumbria.typepad.com

Joan Y said...

The undercoat adds a warmth I really love. This is a GORGEOUS piece!

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