WS44 gay head light

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Comment by Lori Ippolito on June 25, 2015 at 16:44

look forward to getting to my paints..but first, unequal space division..and planning a graphite portrait of my friend's 4 grandkids as a surprise house gift:)..have to figure out how to divide my time so I can get it all in!!!

Comment by Michael J. Severin on June 25, 2015 at 6:41

Yes, I hear you! ...I don't mean that I actually skip the lesson, I will just "cherry pick" what assignments I want to spend a lot of time on and submit.  Right now, I am spending a lot of time on the "How to mix grays" lesson.  I have been practice mixing in my studio for about 2 weeks straight!!! ...I am finding ways of making these beautiful grays and dulling colors like blue ..especially blue! ..a dull blue made of blue/violet and green ..it really gives you a nice blue that is not so doggone cold looking!! ...so anyway, I am finding that lesson pretty invaluable.  The lesson on shape distinction ..I agree with you. 

Comment by Lori Ippolito on June 25, 2015 at 6:04

:)) I'm on B as well..looking at shape distinction and considering just doing the reading there and moving on to unequal space division. I looked at the submissions for shape distinction and couldn't really figure out the process..seemed a bit haphazard to me and not sure it is SO important to spend time on. I'm a little hesitant about skipping since I really have so little formal training..actual none other than online workshops-- I have a MUCH longer road than you!!! Good to be traveling the same path though:)

Comment by Michael J. Severin on June 24, 2015 at 16:43

Looking forward to seeing the painting!! :)) ...BTW, where are you now on VAA? ..I am still working my way through B ....I am going to skip a lot of the assignments ..like making color studies ...etc.  try to get a move on so I can get to the "heavy" stuff a lot faster.  :))

Comment by Lori Ippolito on June 24, 2015 at 15:19

:) I KNEW I liked this photo..you've been able to put it into words for me!! I'm definitely going to paint this..I agree re making the lighthouse larger. This is such a beautiful place.wil be great to paint. I appreciate you taking the time to explain the composition so well! Thanks:)

Comment by Michael J. Severin on June 24, 2015 at 6:34

Go for it Lori ....this is almost a ready made composition .. You would have a ball painting this one!!!   If you do paint this, see how the clouds are moving in linear perspective ...well keep them that way in the painting.  This would be a RADIATING  LINES composition ....as all the major directional lines terminate at the light house.   See that little dip in the horizon line? ...don't do that in the painting.  I would suggest that you make the lighthouse a little bigger in the painting.  Notice how the light is hitting the lighthouse ..It is mostly in shadow but there is a sliver of light shape hitting it!! ...that is so cool ..play that up a little.  Note that you have a well established foreground, middle ground, and background.  The metal fence is painted red ..like the lighthouse ..so that kind of lets you spread that color around a little!  You have yellow ocher color in the cliffs that echo the yellow ocher grass in the foreground.  The cool gray cliff in the distance can be mixed from the two major colors of your composition .....green and red!!    that would certainly give you unity in the painting.  The repeats of the colors, the upright elements, and your horizontal dominant lines, all play into your harmony.  The uprights of the lighthouse and fence posts is your VARIETY ...remember in our VAA ...Repetition and Variety produce unity and harmony ..or something like that.