These are 4 attempts of the same fruit in different orientations as exercise to improve my basics.
Idea to do is after Paint coach YouTube channel. However since there are 2 fruit and size is bigger than 3*3 inch I set timer for 20 min. Of course I stopped at 20 min mark to check what I got vs reality. But then I gave myself 10 to 15 min extra to resolve those issues I spotted at 20 min mark.
Oil on canvas paper A3.
I used new colors here - Dioxazine Purple PV 23 and Payne Gray for background.
Medium was Liquin.
Thanks Tom!
Does this exercise help you painting faster? Or is it more about letting go of little details and over fussing? My eye was also drawn to the upper right one - I think it’s the color and shine of the apple that really sparkles. That purple is great isn’t it? It’s my new favorite for shadows because it’s not as harsh as straight black.
@Lilikins: Here is the link to the Youtube https://youtu.be/pLiANyLGh68
For me this exercise to help me to improve basics which form structure of the painting. My main problem is seeing value to create a truly dimensional subject illusion on the canvas.
So this is the first why I do such exercise.
Second thing: It teaches to see color, nothing can be better doing this on then plein air or such a short exercise with actual thing in front of your eyes. Photos lack such color information.
Third thing: it teaches to simplify by limiting time to get rid of unimportant things that just ruin the painting and it teaches to take such decisions.
Thanks for pointing out to the version you liked more! One on the bottom left was the most challenging as it got dark in the room and i was mushing those colors, was getting upset till i turned the lights on :)
I set up improvised shadow box to control light but as soon artificial lights in the room were on dramatic lighting i set up for the fruit was affected.
Anyway watch that video from the link above and see if you ever want to try it.
@Lilikins - yes this PV 23 is super strong and i tried it for shadows as well. But since this is one of the most expensive colors I ever got, i try to use it sparingly. Most of the shadows I made so far in seascapes were done by mixing one or combination of these colors: burnt umber, alizarin, phtalo blue, phtalo green. I have not tried that PV23 in flower painting, but i am sure that it will be awesome for cool pink/red flowers and their shadows.
Super interesting link! I’m tempted to try it sometime as I really struggle with moving on and letting things go. Sometimes it works in my favor - things look more realistic as I add more detail - and sometimes I end up restarting and redoing something over and over as I try to “correct” something that was perfectly fine in the first place. This is why any watercolor I’ve attempted without step by step instructions has led to sad soggy mud on waterlogged paper 🥲 Have you read the book he referenced in the video? Might have to include it on my wishlist!
When I first started I assumed that shadows should always be black or vandyke brown. The more I paint the more I stray to combos of black/phthalo blue or purple and brown/alizarin crimson. I still struggle with getting colors right but I feel like so long as the values are right, your colors don’t have to be perfect - though it’s a nice bonus!
Nope, I did not read that book. If you get it and read, please do share the most eye opening in your learning from that book! So much agree about the value with you, that is the reason I work to improve the value perception and learn how to squint the eyes every single time.
I love this. My favourite is top left but they’re all good. The shine on the fruit is great and it is very striking as an artwork.
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Thank you Tom! What pigment is in the Mauve? Each one of them has highs and lows. Thanks for pointing exact reasons why you like that one more! Appreciate it.