Friday, June 12, 2009

Why Can't I Paint Colors Like that Colin Page Dude?!

We all need someone to look up to, to emulate to a certain extent...or...maybe not. I love seeing bright, rich, and a deft use of color in paintings and artists like Collin Page, Karen Jurick, and Carol Marine (they are all on my blog roll). I want to use color like them. Some artists out there, and maybe you dear reader, are already dialed in in this regard, but I, am still dialing and especially with my acrylic work. Hey, look at my history! TRUE STORY: When I was in the first or second grade, the school nurse called my parents and suggested that I might need some psychological help. Why?...because unlike the other tikes, I did all of my art in black pencil and crayon...no colors! To my parent's great credit, they blew off the nurse's advice. And by golly, how right they were, because at that young and tender age, I already knew that paintings are built upon a foundation of values, and an artist needs to know how to manipulate value! Color follows value and way, way, waaay back when I was in first (or second) grade, I instinctively knew that! So here is another semi-sorry attempt at using color. I worked from a ref. photo I took at the Monterey Boat Works next door to the Monterey Aquarium. My colors are a hybrid of the colors I saw in the photo and some I made up. It's the making up part that I struggle with. Hmmm...maybe that school nurse was being my crystal ball into the future...I would later need counseling and training in color!
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20 comments:

  1. Mark BridgesJune 12, 2009 at 11:55 AM

    Nah. All ya need is a Lobster roll while you're painting. mmmmmm

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  2. That Colin Page DudeJune 12, 2009 at 12:13 PM

    Hey David,

    I have a really hard time painting from photos also, mostly because of the flat colors. The thing that I've learned the most from as an artist is painting on site. There is a rich complexity of color when you see something in strong daylight with your bare eyes. I try to exaggerate the small warm/cool differences, and I steal ideas that I find in other painters work that will help make my paintings jump a bit. Anyway, I just thought I would thank you for the mention in your post and wish you luck. Also, check out Connie Haye's work for some really nice color!

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  3. dominique eichiJune 12, 2009 at 12:56 PM

    One of your major blessings is your sense of humor. You are very talented but like most of us want more at least it's in the category of improvements of yourself and that is good. So keep doing what your doing because it can only get better.

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  4. David LobenbergJune 12, 2009 at 4:43 PM

    Stp it, Mark!...Ya makin me salivate.

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  5. David LobenbergJune 12, 2009 at 4:48 PM

    Yep, Connie Hayes does some very nice things with color. Thanks for the name, Collin, and thanks for your color remarks. Looking forward to seeing more of your work!

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  6. David LobenbergJune 12, 2009 at 4:50 PM

    Dominique,
    Ya know, if we both stay healthy, our work can only get better! I'm going to visit your blog.

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  7. Myrna WacknovJune 12, 2009 at 10:26 PM

    Why is it that while we are wishing we had the talent of others, many more are wishing they had our talents? I personally love your use of color, especially in your portraits.

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  8. Barbara MuirJune 12, 2009 at 10:35 PM

    Hi David,

    So this painting is more subtle, and the one below it is bright. I really don't know what you mean. You mess with colour all the time. And you're really, really skilled with colour.

    Funny -- I do like your sense of humour. And your use of colour. Were you fishing? Caught.

    Take care,

    Barbara

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  9. http://www.onpainting.wordpress.comJune 13, 2009 at 6:25 PM

    These colors look just fine. Maybe your heros wish they could paint like you.

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  10. David LobenbergJune 14, 2009 at 9:50 PM

    Thanks, Myrna. I guess that I feel that I can get a better handle on manipulating color. I'm getting better, but am not "there" yet.

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  11. David LobenbergJune 14, 2009 at 9:54 PM

    Barbara,
    Yes, i play and manipulate color OK, but I feel my command of it is not quite "there" yet, but I'm workin on it!

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  12. David LobenbergJune 14, 2009 at 9:55 PM

    Onpainting,
    Yea, but if I want to paint like them, there could be a serious head on collision!

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  13. milindmulickJune 17, 2009 at 4:46 AM

    I guess using oils give you far more chance of mixing subtle shades than most acrylics could be one reason..
    besides Colin is a great(er) colorist

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  14. L.HolmJune 17, 2009 at 5:40 AM

    The color looks skilled to me! Just found your blog (I'm late to the party!) from Carol Marine's link. Beautiful work, and I love your humor! Best regards, Liz

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  15. AnonymousJune 17, 2009 at 5:40 AM

    Enjoyed your story about the nurse. Glad your parents didn't take her seriously. I like your painting.

    Paz

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  16. David LobenbergJune 17, 2009 at 5:24 PM

    Milind, I think acrylic can be as rich, subtle, and as complex as oil just in a different way. You are right, Collin is a fantastic colorist and you too have a great handle on color!

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  17. David LobenbergJune 17, 2009 at 5:26 PM

    Thanks Liz. Carol Marine rocks! Maybe even rocks the boat!

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  18. David LobenbergJune 17, 2009 at 5:26 PM

    Thank you Big Apple woman!

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  19. Barbara PaskJune 18, 2009 at 6:58 AM

    Just beautiful, love the colors in this piece.

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  20. David LobenbergJune 21, 2009 at 8:23 PM

    Hi Barbara. One day even I may like the colors in my paintings. This ones nice, but I'm not there yet.

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