Tuesday 23 November 2010

Painting in Progress!


Here's the promised update on the blank piece of paper! This is how the painting looks today. There is still quite a lot of work to be done on it, particularly in the distant Cleveland Hills, and the foreground and trees details.



The above photo shows the painting yesterday. I usually work the sky first, particularly with watercolour, which is the medium I'm using here. Sometimes I draw the composition in with pencil first, but with this painting I started immediately with the paint.

My aim is to express the exhilaration and sense of wonder the landscape stirs in me, and to celebrate this special place with it's dramatic skies and unique atmosphere.

You can view further paintings of this beautiful area of North East England landscape at my Grey Towers Art site.

North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre, Grey Towers paintings, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, Cleveland.

18 comments:

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I love the colors you are using so far. Since I'm not an artist it will be fascinating to watch how it is done. You are so talented and I love the style you use. Is there a name for it or just your personal style?

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Catherine! The style is my personal style which has evolved over the years. It has not been a conscious style, just the way it kind of happens as I explore the landscapes I love and the wonder of nature.

Carol said...

Wonderful colors and light Ingrid! I love the trees . . . the one and the many.

Garden Lily said...

I love the colours and drama of that sky. Your trees are lovely, too.

Rune Eide said...

It is interesting to watch the creative progress of a process that is very different from the one I dabble in. Maybe a photographer sometimes ought to start with a blank virtual canvas and take it from there.

Malyss said...

Ho, how great to see you creating! i like that, it's so interesting and strange, and beautyful..
Artists don't often show how they work, so thank you for doing it!

Anna said...

No longer a blank page ~ I am looking to see how it unfolds. Are you painting from a photograph, sketches or memory ?

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Carol! There's still quite a lot of work to be done on the trees.

Phoenix C. said...

Garden Lily, thank you! I'm wondering whether to tone down the purple of the sky, but I do like it as it is!

Phoenix C. said...

RuneE - that is an interesting thought, a photographer starting with a blank virtual canvas.

I wouldn't call your stunning photography 'dabbling'!!!!

Phoenix C. said...

Malyss thank you, and I'm glad you are enjoying seeing the creative process! I'll do some more work in this way too, in future posts.

Phoenix C. said...

Hi Anna. I'm using all three! This painting is mainly from memory and imagination, with some sketches as reference material and pre-thinking, as well as occasional reference to photographs to ensure the right identifiable shapes for the Cleveland Hills.

Prospero said...

From a diaphanous start, a landscape unfolds.

Phoenix C. said...

Prospero, we've had sudden snowfall overnight, and the landscape itself looks more like the white sheet of paper now!!

Diane AZ said...

It is fascinating to watch the painting develop like this. I can already sense the beauty and magic of the landscape.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Diane! That is what I endeavour to express in my work.

Crafty Green Poet said...

I love the colours in this!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Crafty Green Poet! It's currently standing on a cupboard while I contemplate it before putting in the final work.