Ocean Commotion
(Putting it in motion)
Original oil painting 20x16"
by Susan Roux
Some paintings just beg to be seen in person. This one is no exception. It seems no matter how many times I photograph it and adjust it, I can't get it to look like the original. It's as though I would have to adjust the background in one direction and the foreground in another. Opposing adjustments are essential to each area. How can I do that?
Yes all those colors exist in the background, however the eye blends them together to form a grayed base upon which the figure stands un-conflicted. In this version, the background demands as much attention as the figure. Believe me, in reality it's no contest. She wiggles center stage!
I like this pose. She seems totally in the moment, enjoying the movement of the water and oblivious to all the onlookers. (remember the photo shoot?) She appears seduced by the ocean... Seduction. The repeating sound can have that effect, can't it?
I'm trying to implement a combination of emotional with fundamentals. Gut instinct with a bit of defining details. I have to admit, it's more fun to paint like this than to painstakingly focus on every stroke. The result is much softer and more emotional. I'm really pleased I took the last year to focus so intensely on the technical part, because I feel it helped improve my finish work.
Here is my first girl, Frolicking, that was painted just one year ago. Don't you just love it when you can see the benefits of your hard work?
How does your work compare with that of just a year ago? Does it look the same? Are you growing as an artist or do you find yourself stagnating? There are lots of ways to shake things up. Sign up for a workshop. Go paint with other artists. Try some new techniques. Add a few unusual colors to your palette. Upgrade your paints. Read Nicolaides, The Natural Way to Draw. Whatever you choose, if you focus on improving your skills, you can do whatever it is you set out to do. Work hard and believe in yourself. It's a winning combination. Have fun. Listen to your inner voice and don't forget to Paint the Poetry!
It's all up to you. What are you putting in motion?
beautifully done susan! a soft whisper yet solid and joyful movement. looking at the detail online there are a lot of colors visible. lovely!
ReplyDeleteRemarkable work. Love the process you've followed. I am taking your words to heart! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI believe it's a good thing that you take each and every one as another challenge and mystery to un-lock. I think most people would have found and stuck to a formula. But that doesn't lead to growth as an artist.
ReplyDeleteReally nice work Susan! I love them all.
ReplyDeleteOnce again I learn SO much from your posts! You should have a column in a magazine. I love the paintings that you do, but I also love that you explain how you did them. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThese dark haired beauties are fabulous! This lady has a sense of fun and joy that just emanates from this piece, Susan. Beautiful work and I loved seeing the side by side comparisons. I love the sharper focus you've brought since you've begun.
ReplyDeletei love them all very nice
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Susan. So joyful! I missed your post about the photo shoot. I'm glad you linked to it. What a fun day!
ReplyDeleteYour right, she is 'in the moment' and you've got down perfectly! photos can drive me crazy and it's always the extremes of highlight and shadow that makes it difficult for me. I think I need one of those photo cube things??
ReplyDeleteI love that phrase "paint the poetry" - and you have certainly done exactly that with this delightful piece. The water has such motion but she is center stage! Bravo, Susan!
ReplyDeleteLove your models stance and all the colours in the background, you can feel the water and the sunshine.
ReplyDeletePhotographing is sometimes so difficult to get the tones and the colours right, some paintings are worse than others and it can be so frustrating.
This is my new favorite! Love it! What an ideal model and I do remember the photo shoot! So wish I could see this one! Another thought provoking post, Susan! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love the pose in the first one! the blue shadow work in her white dress is outstanding!! Beautiful work, Susan!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have definitely made a leap. Your figures are great
ReplyDeleteLove seeing both. Wow! I'm taking a figure drawing class this semester and I can really appreciate the gestures & movements of your subjects even more now. Love your work!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful figurative work, Susan! Wonderful gestures and color!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, it's difficult for me to connect with internet. Je laisse le pc allumé jour et nuit et via mail c'est impossible d'écrire les mails ne partent pas!!! Très étrange! Je vais faire rapide au cas où cela ne marche plus ici aussi! Tout va bien et j'ai beaucoup de chose à te raconter à mon retour prévu le 8 mars.... Les paysages sont magnifiques, les fleurs luxuriantes... De très belles couleurs. Les températures sont très chaudes environ 33°C. J'espère que tu peins bien et le temps me dure d'admirer ton travail. Je te fais de gros gros bisous. Ton amie qui pense fort à toi.
ReplyDeletePhotographing one's art can indeed be a challenge. Some paintings are simply more difficult than others to capture, especially those with strong color, subtle contrast, or shiny areas.
ReplyDeleteWe just have to do the best we can... or if it's an important piece and the need for a fine image is vital, professional scanning can be bought.
This is a lovely painting, whether or not the colors are accurate. I think we can get the feel of the piece. The movement is so fresh... she does indeed wiggle with the movement of the water.
Thank you for the challenge to see how we've grown this past year. Boy! Some days I don't think I can paint at all, but then once in awhile I get something that shows me I'm growing. I know I'm still learning... there is still much to learn!
I liked the painting from a year ago but must say your newer piece has a more life-like natural look to it and it is probably from more experience and confidence in what you are doing. When I do a workshop I always stress that one should compare what you are doing up to a year away to really see growth in work. Nice Susan.
ReplyDeleteAs for the problem with photographing an art work and posting it to the internet. I think it is something we all fight with. I have also found what a piece looks like on one computer is far different than on another. big difference sometimes.
ReplyDelete