Thursday, January 20, 2011

Drying Vernal Pool

This is also an 11"X14" acrylic painting on stretched canvas, and will be included in my February show at the Elliout Fouts Gallery in Sacramento, CA. Each painting can be a challenge. That's what makes it fun unless you have problems meeting the challenge, go into a depressed state and lock said painting in a closet to be re-visited sometime in the future after you have overcome your depression. Anywho...I think I met the challenge on this one by laying down broad, flat swaths of grass and flower hues. After that, I came in and broke those swaths up with bits of shadow, and highlight hues. Finally, in the foreground, I painted a few individual flowers to complete the visual illusion of grass and flowers and depth of field. With a smaller, flat brush loaded up with a minimal amount of paint, I scumbled in the background trees to give the illusion of seeing through the foliage.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

David, overall I think this is a good painting, however the uniform circle of yellow flowers seems unreal. Maybe it needs extending n a few areas to make it less even? As a non-oil painter please forgive the criticism.

David Lobenberg said...

Your critique raises a very interesting question I hadn't thought about. This vernal pool is in the process of drying up. The ring of flowers initially sprouted at the water's edge. The question is: how many people looking at the painting would know that? How many would even question the flower ring? Hmmm...something to think about. Maybe I need to title the painting: "Drying Mather Vernal Pool".

Autumn Leaves said...

I think it is lovely, David.

RH Carpenter said...

I'm really enjoying your latest, a peek at your show for those who can't attend :) I didn't even notice that the flowers were in a ring - being married to a biologist, maybe it didn't seem odd to me and I just moved on to the pool and the far trees.

David Lobenberg said...
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David Lobenberg said...
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David Lobenberg said...
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David Lobenberg said...

Well Sue, Autumn, and Rhonda, I guess there may be a some people who may question the flower ring and some who do not. I think it is kind of cool to address the issue in my title however, because that is what vernal pools are all about: They fill during the rainy season and dry up after. Sure is fun getting your feedback. Thanks!

Cynthia Schelzig said...

Maybe I should look in the hall closet and maybe I will find such a nice "mud puddle"......

Unknown said...

I am learning so much from you, just had to look up vernal pools, how interesting.

Love the latest pic - spring song.