Breakfast At Perry's, 9 x 12 inches, oil on linen
So, the cityscapes are evolving. Recently I've been re-examining how I use the brush, and trying out different ways of laying down paint onto the surface. I've also been revisiting brushes that I bought long long time ago and have forgotten that I even had them.
Changing tools changes everything! It's a good way to shake things up when you get into a little rut. Not that I was in a rut just now, but I do like mixing things up and trying new things just to see if I can make new discoveries.
In this particular painting, I used mostly softer brushes which gave me more precision when laying down sharp edges. Typically, When I paint landscapes I use soft/broken edges as a default and bring out the sharp edges where I need to emphasize something. I tried reversing that "rule" for this one. It is painted mostly with sharp edges, and softer edges represent only a small percentage. Most of what looks like soft edges are in fact sharp notes with close value transitions; they just look like soft edges.
I'm liking this new (new to me, that is) way of looking at my edges. The decision making feels a little more subjective somehow. It's worth digging deeper.
7 comments:
love it..
mmm, this is an exciting little painting. love your punchy values, decisive and sure.
Yes sir. And your shapes are nicely abstracted.
I often go back and forth with soft and stiff brushes (sable/bristle), but what's also interesting is the way different brush shapes effect the painting (bright/round/etc).
What shapes are you using?
I also wondered if you used round or filbert brushes, hogs hair or nylon? Anyhow the painting is great.
Thanks Giovanni!
Thanks Sally~ just what I needed to hear :-)
Thomas, Carolann, I am currently using mostly Utrecht bristle flats for the stiff, and Langnickel brights for the soft. I believe Langnickel is a mongoose hair brush.
Every so often I'll switch brushes and paint with only filberts or only rounds, and switch to something else after a year or so. Keeps things interesting. The only nylon brushes I use are 2 inch house painting brushes that I use for washes on big canvases.
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