Title and Medium
Monochrome Morning in Blue. 8 1/2" x 11" oil on canvas.
Artist's Statement
Thrilled to say this is my first painting submitted ever for a monthly project. Using ultramarine deep and titanium white, I painted from a photograph I had shot after we received over 12" of snow. The beauty and peace of the morning was inspiring.
What I'd Do Differently
- I enjoyed learning a bit about the impact that value has on the painting. There are two things that I would change in the painting: A greater range of value in the blue and a more distinct difference between the background and foreground.
Marion Boddy-Evans, Painting Guide, says:
Great to have you join in the monthly painting projects!
As you know, the color you choose determines the darkest value you can get, and the darker it is the great the number of values it'll give. What you might do next is take black and another blue (if you've got one) and compare the darkest value in this with your ultramarine deep. Then mix a little black into your ultramarine deep (or use another blue if it's darker, for example indigo or Prussian blue) and add a few bits of a darker tone to your painting. Just a few dabs under and in the trees/shrubs where the darkest shadow would be. I know adding black moves the painting away from what the project asked for, but it'll give you the greater tonal range you think the painting needs.
If you rework the background and foreground, you'll change the feeling of the painting completely. For me it's captures that stillness of a snowy landscape, where landscape contours are smoothed out and things become less distinct. If you do alter it, be sure about what you intend doing before you start. If you're uncertain, leave it for the moment. There isn't an easy "undo" button!
