DSCF0058

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Comment by Richard Robinson on November 15, 2011 at 12:03

Thanks Debbie, here are some thoughts for you:

 

” ...I couldn't print off the photo as i had no ink, so i got my canvas, drew an outline of the hills, river etc and then while it was in my mind i went to another room and painted it.”
- Debbie Piro

 

This is what some of the great old masters of Chinese painting did - except without cameras they would journey through the wilderness, absorbing what they could, then return to their studio and painted their impressions. Google: “Shan shui” (http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Shan_shui) 

Their work, like yours in this case Debbie, was very symbolic - not a realistic representation of the landscape. It’s interesting that your exaggerated steep mountains are reminiscent of those works and your design is simplified as is your colour scheme - all based on your current understanding (symbols) and the amount of information that your mind can currently hold from one room to the next as you go between your resource photo on screen and your canvas.

 

So that’s what happens when you paint more from your self than from your resource - you end up with more of yourself on the canvas than of your subject. It depends on your goal of course, but now that you have experienced painting in this manner you are more empowered with that knowledge to decide how you want to paint your next painting. For me I find if I spend more time looking at my subject than at my painting I come out with a better painting (in my eyes).

 

Comment by debbie piro on November 14, 2011 at 22:40

hello Richard, the size is 20" x 14" on canvas that i strectched myself. painting in acrylics. i couldn't print off the photo as i had no ink, so i got my canvas, drew an outline of the hills, river etc and then while it was in my mind i went to another room and painted it.

i love what your doing to help people paint and i have found a new lease on painting,,,keep teaching and i look forward to more. the way your presenting things is great, easy to follow and understand, thanks. debbie

Comment by Richard Robinson on November 14, 2011 at 13:06

Hi Debbie, what's the size of this one? and what medium and painting surface?