Saturday, October 12, 2013

Garden Colors

Diane Mannion, Garden Colors, 6x6" oil on canvas

Almost Abstract

This was my demo at Ringling Englewood today.  Painted on top of an ultramarine blue acrylic sketch. Those specs of blue showing through help unify the image and vibrates with surface colors... in an abstract way.  There was an abstract show opening inside while I painted outside with abstraction in mind.  After all, composition is actually the abstraction of visual space. 
 My abstract underpainting and photo reference of my garden plants.
My teaching aids setup in Ringling's breezeway...cool painting spot.



 

4 comments:

Unknown said...

"Composition is the abstraction of visual space..." I like that! I might have to quote you! I had never seen that technique of leaving your bright underpainting showing through. It's wonderfully effective! This is a beautiful piece with a special glow to it!

Wendy Barrett said...

Diane, you are on fire! You have been so prolific since the challenge! But maybe you were before the challenge as well?
I love all your paintings! The seagull has so much life and vibrancy and your flower demos are great as well! You are an inspiration!

Diane Mannion said...

Katherine, thank you! While trying to explain what an abstraction is to my students, I realized it's everything that goes on behind the scenes in a painting... whether it ends up as a total abstraction (something not recognized like landscape, figure, or still life), or the abstraction is simply the "bones" of the piece. Painting's a life long learning experience which is what makes it so fascinating. And I think teaching is nothing more than sharing new discoveries or insights into the process.

Diane Mannion said...

Thanks, Wendy! Have been trying to slow down and paint larger works... so practicing painting the smaller ones faster so I can still post while the big ones are in progress... whew, I need a vacation. It's always nice to hear from you, Wendy.