Sunday, August 16, 2009

Blue Ridge Parkway WIP

Had a wonderful trip back in May to Asheville and Winston Salem, NC as well as two moody, rainy days sketching and photographing views from peaks and overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I wish I could remember which overlook produced the photo referenced in this painting. I'm taking a lot of license and trying to teach myself to loosen up and paint a simple, elegant landscape.

I admire the old English plein air landscape watercolourists as well as a few modern painters who exmplify this philosophy, such as Chris Robinson. 'Tis certainly not my instinctive nature - I tend to overwork - but I keep trying!

Stage 1:

 

 

 

 

 
 

Stage 2:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going through a bit of an ugly stage...also this photo was taken at night under a special daylight bulb, but it doesn't compare well to the first. I may have overstrengthened some of the lines in the mountains...oh well, I'll just go with it and try more washiness in my next piece.


Stage 3:
Rinsed under the sink. Gradation is lost, and needs a little scrubby here and there. Moving on to the next piece!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Shannon, I love the sky you've put in! It has the feel of the Blue Ridge Mountains to me. This will be fun to watch.

Thanks for "following" my blog!

Chris Robinson said...

Shannon, Im really honoured that you've chosen my work as an example of watercolour landscape painting, thank you so much. I really hope this painting comes together for you, and you continue to do a lot lot more. Its very rewarding. I feel reluctant to advise because its your painting and your approach that matters. But so far its looking great - love the sky. Just keep it simple, lots of water and let the paint do the work. (if you want me to advise you can e-mail me)
All the best
Chris

Shannon Ragland Lake said...

Thanks, Chris! As you know I'm a huge fan of your work. I also appreciate your offer...I may take you up on it! My trouble is letting the paint and water do the work...I like to overcontrol it! I know you are right, the best thing I can do at the moment is keep at it. Brinkmanship & sureness of brush only comes from experience, after all! :)

ql said...

Not long ago I was wandering in a landscape kind of similar to your painting... It was a bit foggy that day, but I took a picture after it had cleared up: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jeIo7vguzYNfS72jCGFCAw00ohs5liYZ1EYyLzL_rx0?feat=directlink

Unknown said...

I love those paintings. The colors are so vivid and I'm amazed. Nice work. Thanks for sharing. God bless you.

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