The location for the virtual paintout this month is San Francisco. I found this scene just south of the golden gate bridge. What attracted me to it was the windswept tree. This is done in pastel which is a medium that I love but don't feel very comfortable using. I went to a pastel exhibit last week and was really impressed with what I saw and was motivated to try the medium again. I have trouble mixing colors with pastels. Everything comes out too intense. I see so many beautiful pastel paintings that are subtle and realistic that I love but I don't seem to be able to achieve that. It's not because I don't have enough colors either. I have a wonderful large set with beautiful colors but they all seem so bright and I need more muted colors. I know that I need to optically mix them by putting colors next to each other and I know about how to mute colors by using compliments but my pastels always seem too "in your face" and simplistic. Sigh.....I will continue trying.
If you are in the Orange County CA area and enjoy pastels, you should go see the International Pastel Society's show at the Brea Cultural Center. It will be open through March 5th.
Cliffs of San Francisco
Image Size 9" x 13"
Pastels
Unframed
$100.00
Unframed
$100.00
I really like this. I think your rich colors fit the scene very well. Nice depth and variety of greens.
ReplyDeleteI too like the colors, Nancy. When you do not live in a place, these bright colors just fit perfectly with the image in my head of a gorgeous place. I love the tree too!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jo and Sherry. It's much brighter than the original picture but I do like bright colors. Maybe that's why my pastel work lacks subtle, muted color. Maybe I can't see the world that way. Hmmmm, an epiphany perhaps?
ReplyDeletenancy, thanks for stopping by my blog.. and your nice comments.. im really happy you did so i drop by and enjoy your work!!! great pastels..and yummy watercolors.. ill be back soon
ReplyDeleteNancy, this is bold and beautiful! Makes me want to be there right now! I really like the sky holes in the trees. Great job! I have no problem at all with your pastels being bright!
ReplyDelete