I lOVE trees, forest, ferns, etc. I love the darkness, dampness?, tangle of forest litter, branches, shrubs and wildflowers. I love the complexity and the details, the quiet and the mystery.
OK so how do I paint all that, with watercolor...? Watercolor is best with light and white space. With a definite stoke, but a light touch. It's not forgiving and cannot be worked without turning muddy.I'm asking myself how to capture the scene so it 'reads' well, how to paint a more complex picture, yet retain the beauty and lightness of the medium.
I've tried several approaches, a few which are shown here. I switched to ink in order to try to focus more on the forms.
I question my reference...not a lot of contrast. Perhaps it's not the best model. Thoughts are welcome.
4 comments:
Onge, I don't know much about watercolor, but here are some thoughts.
I like the contrast of the ink drawings. I can see the shapes of the trees and seaves and texture more clearly and I feel drawn into a scene. Maybe instead of painting leaves first paint the negative space between them dark and exaggerated. Maybe try ink and watercolor together. Or choose a scene where dark and light are more defined. Hard to find in this green, green July.
i hear what you love ...the darkness, dampness, the complexity and the details...i imagine you want to capture what you FEEL when looking at this array of (words)complexity, mystery, details, etc. i think the ink really conveys the darkness, and the mystery. i love your question...'how do i paint 'all that' with watercolor? 'all that' may be captured the way you have shown us, in multiple mediums, multiple paintings. relaxing into not knowing is good too. just ask the question and feel the impulses....
I enjoy seeing your exploration and process. Its very interesting.
I really like that you posted the photograph of the scene so we can see what you are looking at. I value the ink drawing at the bottom, in particular. There is a strength in the center tree trunks and a contrast with all the different marks. All those different marks communicate a complexity to me of all the different kinds of things that are growing in and around the trees.
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