Tuesday 19 October 2010

Fading light


acrylic on paper 14x9.5cm

acrylic on paper 14x9.5cm

Please may I have your help....out of the two sketches above which one do you think shows the biggest space? Do the clouds on their own in the top show a bigger depth or is it the addition of headland in the bottom one that helps? Both are painted as if you are standing on the clifftop with no foreground to give a visual clue. Do you prefer one over another? As always, if you have a spare minute to drop me a line in comments I'd really appreciate your input.

I'm experimenting with the illusion of depth again, in the bottom one the headland gives a deeper sense of perspective to me but the cloud feels so much closer and so more claustrophobic. I like the idea of painting as if the viewer is there in the sky but I'm not sure if this contrast is reading right.

6 comments:

WILLIE...! =(^..^)= said...

Ciao...Buon Giorno.......
What lovely paintings, lovely Blog.
Just had a browse through...mmmmM!
In answer to your question...
I think the top painting, shows a bigger depth, and more light, and is, to me a much more pleasing picture. Lovely. Would like to follow, if that's o.k. Thankyou...!
:0).
williewine.blogspot.com/

Jazz said...

hello lisa,

both of these have a dramatic sense of open space for their diminutive size - the depth of perspective really works...

on first impressions, the first painting seemed (to me, at least) as if looking out of a plane - or perhaps, high up in the air, floating above the water, within the open space.

in the second one, i definitely feel more grounded & still, looking outwards from some headland.

i hope that helps a little! how fabulous is it that you get to see such views on your doorstep!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I like your painting and blog. To me the first one has more depth because is dark at top and gradates lighter coming down towards horizon. The clouds add nice movement. Thanks for sharing. Ambal

Lisa Le Quelenec said...

Hi Willie, thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I'm glad that you enjoyed looking.

Hi Jazz, you've hit the nail on the head with your comments on the first picture. It's a halfway memory picture for me from the last time I was in a plane and saw the most spectacular sunset. The sky was so clear and it felt like you could just dance on the clouds. Just as the sun disapeared the sky turned the most perfect clear blue, it took your breath away. - I really am sooooooo lucky to live in this part of the world. Thank you for your help.

Thank you Ambel for your comments, I always try to get the tonal contrasts right first in my thumbnail sketches I find them to be one of the most important aspects in a composition. Do you blog? It would be good to visit.

Thank you, I hope you all have a great day. :0)

The Besticle said...

The top one is my choice for giving a sense of space and endless sky. I think it's how the clouds tail off into the distance, meeting the horizon. The second one feels like a close up on a section of sky, but is more dramatic. Yes, that's what it is: the top one makes me feel calm and serene and the bottom reminds me how small we humans actually are.
Dunno if that helps :-)

Lisa Le Quelenec said...

Hi Besticle, that helps loads, thank you :o)