Saturday 1 August 2009

Balinese vistas - terraced padi fields 1

Next project - the Balinese vistas that captured my heart whilst viewing villas in the Umalas district adjacent to Seminyak. The green padi fields are literally to die for. Setting up and sketching is now becoming more of a focused effort, keeping proportion and perspective in mind. . .
. . . and applying structure and form to canvas.The sketch completed, dusting off excess charcoal with a soft rag is a necessary preparatory step to prevent contamination of paints. From the upper skies downwards, a wash of cerulean blue (with a touch of ultramarine) merging into a gradual mixture of white; then on to a warmer tone with a touch of raw sienna as the sky blends with the trees at the horizon.
The clouds are left unpainted ensuring charcoal outlines are covered with blue. 'Every cloud has a silver lining' are not just words strung together, but true to nature. Closer examination of the reference picture shows each cloud formation with a distinct underbelly of silver grey suggesting the weight of water content causing the change in refractive index hitting the eye. A touch of Payne's grey and lots of white is applied for the clouds.
Next each terraced padi field is painted in blends of sap green, raw sienna, viridian and titanium white separated by bunds.Standing back and gazing at the picture, due to the nature of the brush strokes, the padi fields took on an undulating appearance that was not logical. Far from realistic, this would mean that padi farmers would be sliding down the mushy slopes!
To rectify this, smoother brush strokes in a horizontal lie are required for the correct effect.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love your jottings on art and painting (techniques), being a bit of an art nut myself.

Which reminds me - I must spend as much time painting as I do writing because 2 years before retirement I had planned to do these two things right up to old age...and beyond. Who knows?

fidel said...

Come and join us at the National Art Gallery. Nice group of ladies and very helpful teacher...

halimah said...

Really! What days/times? Are you all planning an exhibition?

I did take some lessons in oil and watercolour from an artist friend, painted furiously, gave away/ sold about 20 pieces to family and friends held at gun point!

Must start a second mad streak!

fidel said...

Mon to Thurs 9.30-1pm RM300/6 sessions!Call Amir 0162219925