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turningshadow In reply to johnpaulthornton [2009-02-22 23:57:41 +0000 UTC]

no need to ask, ever. go for it. it doesn't even have to be kindly

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johnpaulthornton In reply to turningshadow [2009-02-23 08:48:18 +0000 UTC]

I know that color is a real philosophy.

It is, in my opinion, the very personal element of painting, regardless of style.

I also know that, as we learn to paint, we pass through many kinds of seeing and responding. Some of it is based upon who our guides and mentors are.

For instance, Jacques Luis David approaches color differently than Ilya Repin....

David Laffel approaches it differently, than say, Daniel Sprick...

Sargent differently than Gaugin, etc.

But beyond seeing, there is editing, and orchestrating.


A really great colorist I worked with stated it in a wonderful way to me, without presenting me with any presupposed theories, scientific or theroretical.


Instead, he just asked questions.







"Where is your purest red? And Why?"


"Where is your purest green? And Why?"


"Where is your Purest Purple? And Why?"


"Where is the single, most vibrant note of color in your entire painting? And Why?"

"Which apple is the clearest, the purest, And Why?"



The "Why" was always key: For the sake of the composition.

If you look at Chardin, the master realist in the genre of still life, you will see these questions being asked and answered in a brilliant way.

And this memory I have will never leave me...
Once, he asked the class:
"When you are painting a red cloth, can you show me the entire history of red within it? Can you show me the smokey, dull red of Rembrandt, the Venetian red of Tintoretto, the crimson of Goya, the red severity of Ingres, the delicacy of Cassatt's pinks, and the airiness of Rothko's Vermillion WITHIN THE SAME CLOTH, within the same picture? And can you do it so that it is harmonious and true?"

It was a lot to ask for. It would make some students snicker, some freak out. Some ignored his challenge altogether...But he was inviting us to think and edit and direct, not simply record.

It reminded us that we were able, if we wished, to tell the story of red...to tell the story of depth and chroma shifts the way a pianist creates dynamics, the way an orator speaks at the funeral of a martyr, the way passion rises and grows and then quiets in the night.

Anyway, I share that with you.

I think you are becoming a very adept painter. I see you growing with each post. You are wonderful to watch.

respectfully,

John Paul

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johnpaulthornton In reply to johnpaulthornton [2009-02-23 09:39:07 +0000 UTC]

PS...

Your drawing and value control is obviously quite strong,

Your edge variation is also strong.

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turningshadow In reply to johnpaulthornton [2009-02-23 16:00:48 +0000 UTC]

thanks for your comments, yes i see what you are saying. Controlling color strength to serve the composition has been a struggle for me...restraint isn't my strongest suit. I've been attempting to grey my colors as they move away from the center of interest, but in this painting I wasn't successful with that, hence the lack of a clear center of interest... I'll be focusing on this more in my next painting. Thanks -D

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johnpaulthornton In reply to turningshadow [2009-02-23 16:12:16 +0000 UTC]

gosh, like I said, color is so personal anyway....


but I was compelled to write these things.

You are so very good and I love watching your progress.

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