June 1, 2012

A New Painting: "Yellow Triangles"

 Yellow Triangles, egg tempera on calfskin parchment, 7 x 8 1/2 in.


The garden is so demanding at this time of year that I don't get enough time in the studio, but I did manage to finish this painting yesterday. I titled the work Yellow Triangles, even though the triangles are only implied; the strong angles of the large blue and yellow shapes sweep toward the idea of triangle.


Yellow Triangles, detail

What I thought most about while working on this painting was the way I was applying paint to the surface, and how I could use the transparency of the paint. I have various options, among them painting several layers of the same color until the surface takes on an opaque appearance. In this case I decided to use the layering of close-hued shifts to subtly animate the surface. When I put down a new layer of color, I have to walk away from the painting for a while, allowing my eyes to refresh and the color to dry to its finished hue. When I come back a few minutes later, I can see more clearly if it works or not.


Yellow Triangles, detail


In this detail you can see the difference in the opacity of the paint, with the lighter color yellow being more opaque: I use Titanium white to mix lighter values and it is quite opaque. When I worked with oil and gouache I didn't think that much about the physical properties of the paint; with egg tempera it is one of its challenges and delights.


4 comments:

  1. That's interesting, what you say about paint equality. I paint in oils, watercolor and gouache, and I do think of those things - I use the same technique at least some of the time, multiple layers of subtly shifting hue.
    Also, funny for me when you point out there are no real triangles in this piece - only then I realize how my mind completes the triangle, and carries your composition outside the format.

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    1. I think that I was so focused on the image at that time, Ravenna, that I didn't think of more abstract issues such as paint quality.
      and it's great to know that you completed the triangles in your mind.

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  2. I really like this one! It's such a privilege to be allowed in to your thoughts and process as you produce these works. The subtle difference and richness of the colors comes through even on a computer - I especially enjoy the green line around the edges of the small shapes on the right. Such crisp, linear elements - and the brighter yellow diagonal at the top (the farthest away and roundest part) stays back, even thought it's a brighter yellow, which should come forward, because its edge is softer and close to the value of the bright blue above. I love it!

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    1. Thanks so much for your observant comments, Amy. It's good to know that you see this painting as a success. As for my thoughts, I find it helpful to articulate them, so I do this for myself too, not only for my readers.

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