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By the river banks ...two different ways

Plein air sketch of kayaker


Sometimes I'm not sure whether or not to show certain works on my blog. They are not intended as definte works but as studies through which I try to progress and improve. I started this blog with this purpose in mind.


plein air value sketch


I did two plein air studies by the river this week. The first being a value study because I wanted to try and elimanate all the colors and see if I can work on getting a nice midtone in my paintings. The second sketch, has the same vantage point, with color. I wish I hadn't included the kayaker, I need to simplify when I'm out there. I feel there are a thousand things I should include: the beautiful light, the glistening colors on the water, the dreamy foliage...it all only leads to mental overload. Something to keep in mind.

Another note, I have a nice tip that was passed on from reading  Julie Ford Oliver's blog. I have word verification in my comments installed. I know how time consuming it is and I appreciate even more anyone that takes the time to leave a comment. She has discovered that the illegible number is not necessary to type in, only the letters. I have tried it on other blogs and she is right! Thanks Julie!


I made a new friend, maybe next time I can get him to pose for a portrait.
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Comments

  1. Judy14 September 2013 at 13:51

    They are nice studies, Celia, and good exercise. I like the value sketch. Thanks for the tip about word verification, I'll try it.

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    1. Celia Blanco16 September 2013 at 13:59

      Thanks for stopping by Judy, I appreciate your comment!

      Delete
  2. art by Michael Perchard14 September 2013 at 14:20

    Wild and wonderfu! Love both works! Great drama and excitement!
    Michael

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  3. Joan Tavolott14 September 2013 at 15:15

    Both are nice, but I like the value sketch better. You saved the light in that one. That is the good thing about plein air studies. You can find out what works best for you.

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco16 September 2013 at 14:00

      I think I'm happier with the value sketch too, I was hoping it would help me when I added color. You can never do enough!

      Delete
  4. Wendy Barrett14 September 2013 at 16:35

    I so admire your plein air habits Celia. Great studies! Do you hope to do a further work from what you did today? What a lovely lizard - was it big or small?


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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco16 September 2013 at 14:04

      Thanks Wendy! I take a lot of reference pictures as well and hope to work from them too. Isn't he cute? I knew you would appreciate him, he was a good five inches long and was desperate to warm up in the sun. He was not afraid of me.

      Delete
  5. Ramakant Pradhan15 September 2013 at 15:18

    I always find it interesting seeing your work in progress paintings and wondering how they will come up when completed. Sometimes when you have the final pictures again on the blog, I compare them with the mental image I had created earlier.

    Regarding the word verification, I think you can turn it off and just have comment moderation enabled to discourage spam. That way, it's easier for readers to comment. And you can check all comments before publishing them. All spams can be directly reported as spam without ever appearing here.

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco16 September 2013 at 14:05

      Thanks Ramakant, I love that you are taking the time to visit my blog!

      Delete
  6. Lorraine Brown15 September 2013 at 22:42

    Plein air painting requires its own set of skills and I guess it just needs firstly to get out there something I am just too lazy to do, good on you and for your nice little studies. I did comment yesterday but not sure where it went, the wonders of cyberspace

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    1. Celia Blanco16 September 2013 at 14:32

      The elements make it challenging but it is fun. Thanks for trying again Lorraine!

      Delete
  7. Jane16 September 2013 at 01:03

    Both studies are good Celia , but I specially love the bold coloring in the first one, and I like the kayaker too :-)

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  8. Helen H Trachy16 September 2013 at 13:58

    Hi Celia! I feel studies are so important, they make you learn and progress and I love it that you show them on your blog. We can all learn from them too! I like the bold colors.

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    1. Celia Blanco16 September 2013 at 19:33

      I hope you learn from my mistakes!:-) Thank you for your encouraging comment Helen and especially for taking the time, I can imagine how busy you are!

      Delete
  9. Laura Leeder16 September 2013 at 17:20

    Celia, thanks for reminding of the value in creating studies; I should do more of these! Plus the word verifiication tip! Have a great day!

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    1. Celia Blanco16 September 2013 at 19:34

      I'm happy you find it useful Laura, thanks for the visit!

      Delete
  10. Debbie Nolan16 September 2013 at 19:57

    Dear Celia - I am so glad you shared your work - it helps me see too the importance of doing value sketches and I love the colors you used in the Kayaker. There is something extra special about sketching from life too. I am often overwhelmed when I am outdoors on what to focus on because I can get so caught up in everything and don't know what it is I really want to say. Nice to know there are others that have this same problem. Take care and thanks for the tip about the number. Have a great day.

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    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco17 September 2013 at 07:35

      I'm happy you find it of help Debbie, thanks for your nice comment!

      Delete
  11. juliefordoliver.blogspot.com18 September 2013 at 05:54

    I am finding when I enter a comment on my phone they do not always go through. I know I had mentioned how much I enjoyed the two different harmonies in these studies. A great job of plein air work.
    love your friend. cute!

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  12. hmuxo18 September 2013 at 21:56

    You did a beautiful job on both of these paintings, Celia! I love the value sketch VERY much!!! Wonderful work!

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  13. Linda Roth18 September 2013 at 22:34

    The Kayaker made me think Kandinsky. Excellent Celia. I actually like both these paintings, but The Kayaker is superb.

    Julie's tip does work most of the time, but I have discovered that there seems to be different word verification sources, for some have letters that are easily read, while others have smudged appearance and have taken me three tries. Three tries and I'm out. Who has the time?

    ReplyDelete

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