Thursday, September 23, 2010

Rock Pool 2


Rock Pool 2
Acrylic 45 x 122cm
This painting is the second in a series of rock pool paintings. I love the way light is reflected on the surface of the water in some areas of our rock pools, creating a milky reflective surface. Where the rock pool is in shadow, the water becomes transparent, allowing a clear view of the stones and shells below.

I have used very subtle tones of colour here, I am experimenting with colour mixing at the moment, trying to create very subtle tones from my very vibrant acrylic tubes!



Pots of Paint

I mix up my favourite shades and tones in these little plastic pots, adding a bit of acrylic medium and a few drops of retarder, the paint stays lovely and smooth indefinitely. I now have found pots with clear lids, making identification much easier. I love to have all my mixing done before I start painting, I have built up enough mixes to be able to paint spontaneously - even though I will plan an initial colour scheme just to get started.

Kim at Creative Influences always leaves the most thought-provoking comments here, she seems to be able to create such interesting discussions, she always makes me think. There is so much of what we do as artists that is instinctual and only when we are urged to write down our thoughts to explain ourselves to others, do we have to analyze and verbalize what we do.
Thanks, Kim!


11 comments:

sukipoet said...

This painting is totally gorgeous! A very difficult subject to paint but for me, you have created a true sense of the magic and movement of looking down at rocks through water.

I love your description of how you prepare to paint also. You prepare well and thoroughtly in order to paint spontaneously! (I paint spontaneously sometimes but just squeeze colors out at random and go to it like a madwoman). This is very thoughtful spontaneity.

I agree w/you that Kim offers thoughtful comments on just about everything from slow living, to painting, to pepper grinders!!! I am so thankful to be her friend. And yours too. Glad you are back showing us some of your work again. Thanks, suki

Kim said...

Hello Dianne,

First thank you so much for the shout out. You and Suki are so kind to say these beautiful things about me. I am truly honored, however remember without you my comments would not be possible! So thank you again for being yourselves and giving me the opportunity to prattle on!

This is another stunning painting. I am truly feeling this series. As I gaze at this I can imagine these "treasures" just below the surface trying to reach the light. It truly takes the water to create the magic, and you have captured that so well. I love the subtle qualities in a graphic way. It is difficult to explain, really, but that also makes it appealing. While I clearly grasp your inspiration, it also is like a fractured, pale rainbow, too. Andrea has said there are more hues present than first meet the eye and you have clearly show that in this piece.

I love experimentation. That is a true fine artist, isn't it? I agree with Suki that you are practicing deliberate spontaneity when you paint. Also, I have wondered how well the retarder works, so thank you for that! I think it would be a great asset to keep the acrylic open for a bit longer. I love the use of these pots...great idea.

Thanks so much, Dianne! This painting series makes me impatient for the next one and the next one...I am imagining the show, now! :-)

Dianne said...

Hi Suki,
Thanks so much for your lovely comments! It is great to get some feedback. Before I started mixing my paint in the little pots, when painting spontaneously I would often get a complete mishmash of colour, producing something that I really could not relate to and ended up painting over many times. I became quite frustrated with my efforts and so I tried to work out a system of working where some sort of colour harmony could occur within an experimental process.
Suki, I left blogging for a while because I became quite obsessive about it, spending far too much time at my computer. I am now going to approach blogging in a less addictive manner this time!

Dianne said...

Dear Kim,
You are a very special person and I am happy we have been able to pick up from where we left off. I have explained my absence in my comment above to Suki. For months I couldn't even click on my site, a bit like an alcoholic, fearing being sucked in again - really weird - (I don't have an addictive personality). Anyway, I am approaching blogging in a different way now.

Thanks for your encouragement regarding this series of paintings. I am enjoying the possible analogy of some things being revealed and some qualities hidden, reflecting what is external rather than revealing what is underlying - not sure if I am making sense here!

On a practical note, just a few drops of retarder really slows down the drying time and is much cheaper than buying the new slow-drying acrylics (very expensive in Cape Town).

Kim said...

Hello Again, Dianne! I just had to come back for another look! :-)

No need to explain why you had to get away from this medium. I understand that. It sure can be addictive. I tend to come to the computer when I am allowing things to dry, etc. I do tend to let other things go - like cleaning and cooking! It sounds like you have it all worked out, now, anyway. Isn't this the main thing? Just to shake it up a bit?

Yes, I think I understand just what you are saying. It makes perfect sense for you, too. What ever you are doing, keep doing it!

Thank you for this information about the retarder. Those open acrylics are made here and they are so expensive. No, I will give this a try. I even have the retarder! How silly is that?

Thanks Dianne! Like Suki, I am so glad you are back and glad you are feeling better about it, too!

Anonymous said...

Hi, it's so easy to get addictive to blogging isn't it. I now limit myself to just looking at the blogs I follow for one hour in the evening. It's banned during the day - that's for precious painting time only. Love this latest work.

Carol said...

Beautiful Di. I would love to see a solo exhibition of all your work some day - it will happen!
We have at long last got ADSL!!!! But I can see that I am going to have to control myself!

~Babs said...

Hi Dianne,
So glad you're back in the blogging business, thanks for letting me know!
Loved seeing and hearing about your process.We learn so much from eah other!
This series is magnificent! The stones beneath the water appear as jewel-like, and seeing the movement in the water is awesome!
The retarder really is a wonderful medium,,and allows so much more freedom in the working.

Blogging can be so addictive, I know. Hopefully we can find that perfect balance with 'living our life' that works for each of us.I've decided I can just do a better job of self discipline. So far it's working,,,
:-)

Dianne said...

Hi Carolann, it sounds like you have this blogging under control, it is the painting time that has to be prioritized.

If I go onto the computer in the evening, I cant get to sleep!! It must reduce my Melatonin output, gazing at the brightly-lit blog pages!

Dianne said...

Hi Carol,
Gosh, how on earth did you manage to blog without ADSL? The speed of the downloads for dial-up must have driven you crackers!

Dianne said...

Hi Babs, yes, it is great to read about each others painting process, there is so much to share and learn from each other.

You are right about this self discipline thing, we women artists need to be incredibly disciplined with our time management if we are to paint on a regular basis.