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| Night Patrol, 8x10, oil on canvas panel. |
Night paintings are fascinating. Just how dark can I go...
Everyone sees a different story. What do you see?
Celene
Available in my eBay Store or directly from me.
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Friday, July 21, 2023
Taxi ! Another night painting
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| Taxi - 8x10, oil on canvas panel, available |
I am still fascinated with night paintings and the mystery of their untold stories. What do you see?
Celene
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Class notes - Composition
I was an art instructor for almost 20 years. I taught at our gallery in Belfast, Maine and later in my home studio. It's hard to stop being a teacher, especially when a friend asks for a critique. "What's wrong with my painting? It's not working! Here's the photo - see, I copied it exactly!"......... Well OK, let's go back to the basics and review our class notes.
First of all - You are an artist. The camera isn't. A camera is a mechanical tool that arbitrarily records everything it sees - the good and the bad. You, as the artist, have to take the scene apart and put it back together. You have to shift your mindset from just copying the scene to the hard, cold, technical facts of composition - and the importance of line, values, placement and shapes. If they are not there, you have to create them.
All the elements in a painting should be designed and placed to serve the focal point. If they don't serve the focal point - leave them out. Remember the focal point is what the painting is about. It's where you want the viewer to look. It is where our most important objects are located. The focal point should have the most contrast, most intense color and the sharpest edges. Objects on either side of the focal point are seen in our peripheral vision and cannot be in sharp focus. This is the way our eye naturally sees.
Simplicity is the key to a strong painting. It's not how much you can add - it's how much you can leave out and still tell your story.
Compositional guidelines -
Diagonal lines give energy, direction and movement. All the major diagonal lines in the scene should lead toward the focal point.There should be a straight, strong vertical line or shape near the focal point to serve as an anchor and to stabilize the composition.
The painting is divided into three planes, the foreground, the middle distance and the distance. Each plane must be treated differently to show the natural effects of aerial perspective in the scene.
Foregrounds are for lead-in purposes only. They should be composed of diagonal or curving lines, using value and color changes to lead the eye into the painting. They are never just a straight horizontal line going across the bottom of the canvas. And they are never detailed because, when you are looking straight ahead, foregrounds are seen in your peripheral vision.
Placing the focal point in the middle distance creates a larger foreground area which gives support to the focal area while adding weight to the bottom of the painting. This also gives the foreground space to create direction and movement.
It is in the middle distance where your major objects, color and values are located. This is where the action is. This is where the focal point is.
The softer, cooler atmosphere seen in the distance is the result of aerial perspective. This help to create a feeling of depth.
To help in developing a strong painting work out your composition first in either sketches or a tonal underpainting. Tonal - without color - using black, white and grays. Later you will add the magic of color - but only if the underlying structure is strong and correct. And don't be afraid to use a ruler...
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Above is my acrylic tonal underpainting on a red primed canvas. Note the use of directional lines. The strong verticals in the building provide stability. The main figure, my focal point, is in the middle distance. The strong value design is created to support my focal point. |
So, don't just copy what you see. You are the artist. Create. Build a strong composition and add only the elements that are necessary to tell your story.
Happy painting.
Celene
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Saturday, May 13, 2023
How to purchase my paintings.
I have received many inquiries about how to purchase my paintings.
I have an eBay Store Celene Farris, A Maine Artist where you can see the majority of my available paintings. eBay is a safe and secure way to shop.
You can also purchase directly from me if you prefer. Just contact me and we'll make it happen!
I offer a 14 day money back guarantee, so if you aren't pleased you can return the painting for a full refund. You only pay for the return shipping.
I also have paintings in a local shop, Patchwork Plus, on Rt 3 in Searsmont, Maine. And at Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast, Maine.
Thank you for asking. Please contact me with any questions or comments.
Celene
Monday, April 3, 2023
Spring Paintings
Well, it's finally April in Maine. It's still quite cool outside but the snow is almost gone and green shoots are appearing in the flower gardens. It's time to come out of hibernation!
It's mini painting time for me again. I just received my order of 24 frames!
These mini paintings are currently available in my Ebay Store. One sold within an hour of listing! Stormy Seas is on it's way to the UK.
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| Stormy Seas, 3x3F, oil, SOLD |
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| On the Beach, 3x3F, oil SOLD |
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| Pretty Blues, 3x3F, oil SOLD |
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| Purple and Brass, 3x3F, oil SOLD |
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| Red, White & Blue, 3x3F, oil SOLD |
Time to get back to the studio. Thanks for visiting with me.
Stay safe and warm,
Celene
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Inexpensive Plein Air Kit to Make
Even though it's snowing (again!) this evening, it's time to start thinking about plein air painting. Make this super simple mini pochade kit for 5x7 canvas panels. Very inexpensive. Very efficient.
This box is totally self-contained and small enough to carry anywhere.
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My $1.95 pencil box measuring 5x8x2½
My mini pochade box - all set to go.
This box is just the right size for two 5x7 panels. I tape wax paper on the bottom for easy clean-up.
I used a limited number of colors and adjust the consistency of the paint with medium when I add it to the box. (A very small container, maybe something lip balm might come in, can be used as a medium holder if you wish.
Two small packets of handi wipes are taped to the inside lid. A small plastic sandwich bag with two or three paper napkins goes in my pocket.
I was asked how I clean my brushes without turps. I don't carry turps in this kit. I use separate brushes for the darks and the lights, wiping them well between mixtures.
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I brace the canvas with my thumb while painting, using the lid as my easel.
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The box is deep enough to securely hold two wet 5x7 panels placed back to back and on an angle. The used paint brushes, wrapped in a bit of tissue, go back in the box.
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A perfect fit.
It closes up, nice and neat.
These inexpensive plastic boxes come in many sizes so you can easily make up a kit to suit the size canvas you prefer.
It's fun to just grab the box and go without having to carry all our usual plein air gear. Great for painting in your car.
Thanks for visiting. Happy painting.
Celene
www.CeleneFarris.com
Friday, March 10, 2023
Spring is coming!
Well, here we are in mid March again. I hope you all had a pleasant winter. We did!
It's been a busy winter with lots of painting and plenty of lazy days, too. It's time to get motivated now that the sun is shining and the days are getting warmer.
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| Splash, 5x7 oil, nfs |
Sometimes I just have to keep a painting for myself.
Thanks for visiting with me.
Happy painting!
Celene
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