Assignment #3: A Bare Tree in a Landscape. This assignment is an exercise in combining two pieces of reference together successfully. Using a bare tree as the subject, place it in a different landscape than the one you find it in. In creating your own, more or less 'fictitious' landscape, you will strengthen your imaginative skills while still creating a composition that is believable and real. The tree should be leafless in order to emphasize its character and presence as a shape. Search for the right tree, one whose shape or form speaks to you. The tree should be the main focus of your piece. – from Braldt Bralds
The Process: This assignment was familiar ground for me for my landscape paintings are often based on seeing an element in nature and placing it in another context. For this assignment I discovered a tree near White Rock and was struck by its sculptural beauty. It was an early Spring day and the tree was just showing its promise – a green-gold haze -- of leafing out. I was reminded of the line in Robert Frost’s poem, “Nature’s First Green is Gold.” Because I didn’t have my camera, I made a quick sketch of the tree. When I got back into my studio, I added details – the bark of the tree – using a hard HB pencil. I then made several thumbnail sketches, placing the tree in a variety of settings: with a small adobe, at sunset, sunrise, and against a hillside bursting with the colors of Spring. I painted four of the sketches, all shown here, using mostly watercolor washes with accents of gouache.
The Critique: I presented all four paintings in class. While the compositions are strong – the tree is the focal point – there is little variation in contrast and value. The paintings could all be improved by presenting the shadows – the full range of tonal values – cast by the tree. All four paintings are representative of my abstract landscape style: loose brushstrokes of color with a lot of the white paper showing through. While all were favorably reviewed, I have a favorite; it is not the one preferred by a consensus of my classmates. Which is your favorite and why? Please comment below.
Lessons Learned: Imagination is one among many tools of the creative process. Drawing from imagination is really drawing from memory; it’s putting together bits of memories to make something new. Drawing is about seeing, really looking and understanding your subject. When drawing from imagination, visualize the light source and conditions and make use of the full range of tonal values, the bright highlights and dark shadows. The best way to learn to draw from imagination is to keep drawing from life and photos, focusing on the things you want to be able to create. Observing and drawing will train your visual memory so you have a stock of mental images to draw upon.
"Imagination keeps you from painting the same bowl of fruit day after day." Pablo Picasso
Honeysuckle Clouds, Acrylic on canvas,
40 x 30
Sowi-ing Mana (Deer Maiden) Acrylic, collage on canvas, 18 x 14. See more of my Katsina Series on the Native Abstractions page.
Pueblo Village, acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16. See others on my Latest Works page.
Mission Church, oil on canvas, 24 x 20. See more of these works on Latest Works page.
Firecracker Cactus
Acrylic on canvas,
10 x 10, See more on the "Small Works" page.
Flower Moon 雪国
Collage, watercolor,
20 x 16, matted. See more Japanese-inspired works on my Asian Abstractions page.
San Geronimo Runners,
24 x 12. See more on Native Abstractions page.
Write a comment
Nakita Ritz (Tuesday, 07 February 2017 12:34)
Hello, I wish for to subscribe for this weblog to obtain most recent updates, so where can i do it please help out.
Ji Pasko (Tuesday, 07 February 2017 13:13)
I'm really enjoying the theme/design of your site. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems? A few of my blog readers have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any tips to help fix this problem?
Teofila Needleman (Tuesday, 07 February 2017 19:17)
I was able to find good info from your blog posts.
Harold Lettinga (Tuesday, 07 February 2017 21:04)
I don't know if it's just me or if everyone else encountering problems with your blog. It appears like some of the written text on your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as well? This could be a problem with my internet browser because I've had this happen previously. Cheers
Anna Groover (Tuesday, 07 February 2017 22:38)
Your method of explaining all in this article is genuinely pleasant, all be capable of without difficulty be aware of it, Thanks a lot.
Isis Rusin (Wednesday, 08 February 2017 06:44)
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your webpage? My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would truly benefit from a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this alright with you. Regards!
Isis Rusin (Wednesday, 08 February 2017 09:07)
Yes, you have my permission to quote from my posts. Please give credit and provide a link back to my website: www.southwestabstractions.net Thank you for asking.
Jesenia Thorp (Wednesday, 08 February 2017 12:18)
Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear." She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Roger Gruner (Wednesday, 08 February 2017 12:57)
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have got you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff you post�
Loyd Timm (Wednesday, 08 February 2017 20:36)
Heya just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren't loading correctly. I'm not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I've tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.
Landon Drewes (Thursday, 09 February 2017 01:34)
Every weekend i used to go to see this website, for the reason that i want enjoyment, since this this site conations truly pleasant funny stuff too.
Arleen Calnan (Thursday, 09 February 2017 04:28)
Amazing blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Bless you
Rosio Walworth (Thursday, 09 February 2017 06:47)
I know this if off topic but I'm looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is required to get setup? I'm assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I'm not very internet savvy so I'm not 100% positive. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Kudos
Hiram Gorgone (Thursday, 09 February 2017 13:48)
Thanks for every other informative web site. The place else may just I get that type of info written in such a perfect approach? I have a project that I am just now working on, and I've been at the glance out for such info.
Hiram Gorgone (Thursday, 09 February 2017 15:12)
Hurrah! Finally I got a webpage from where I be capable of truly obtain helpful facts regarding my study and knowledge.
Marsha Maffei (Thursday, 09 February 2017 18:39)
Hello, after reading this remarkable piece of writing i am also glad to share my knowledge here with friends.
Carli Surber (Thursday, 09 February 2017 21:59)
We absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post's to be what precisely I'm looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content for you? I wouldn't mind producing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome web log!
Latoyia Didonato (Thursday, 09 February 2017 23:25)
This paragraph presents clear idea designed for the new people of blogging, that genuinely how to do blogging.
espn.com/activate (Monday, 18 November 2019 00:32)
Yo, wonderful advice. We’re empowered by your articles here. Hopefully in the near future i’m going to be putting up quality blog pages just like this. Thumbs up!!https://www.roku-com-links.com/activate-espn/