Notan designs

[Lori Ippolito]

Hi folks..just working out some thoughts on two possible paintings..the ne is for the August workshop & the other for a painting I'm thinking of doing as a thank you gift for my hosts on vacation -- it's the view from their back porch of the Nantucket Sound..actually, either one of these paintings will wind up being the thank you gift I think, so I'm eager to do a really good job!

these are the Notans of both with the original photos as well..I'd love to hear any thoughts on how to improve the compositions:)

I'm partial to the top right

and here, I'm thinking bottom right

 

 

[Lori Ippolito]

That's the one I like best as well..top right..I've painted and scraped off three times already:(. This is tough!!!!

[Lori Ippolito]

Thanks for your input Stu!!

[Stuart J. Gourlay]

The notans look pretty good Lori.   Remember to not have 50/50 light and dark; keep ti aysymmetric with either light or dark predominant.  I would agree with your choices, but top one is close to 50/50.  It looks to me like it will work best if it is light predominant.  Both photos are sidelit with blue skies so warm lights and cool shadows will be the order of the day.  These are both nice photo references and you can really pump up the chroma in your midvalues in the top one.   Richard did a whole workshop with creating Notans early on and his video references are real helpful.   Also check his YouTube video on the spotlight effect that pumps up the focal point.   These are both nice compositions as they are and the best way to make a strong painting is to work out the lights and darks as you are doing (a colorist would argue with me on that one).   Keep it up; I think you are on the right track.  Stu

[Lori Ippolito]

To be honest, I'm not certain I'm doing the Notans the right way as they all look pretty similar..I'm thinking I'm supposed to be looking for different areas of focus..didn't really accomplish that - I seem to get stuck on the one design & just work out darks & lights a little more on some!