Abstractify: on location

I'm a little behind in posting, because I'm a little behind in completing the online course. Partly because I've been busy, and partly because, I was unmotivated by some of the course material. I discovered, "landscapes", aren't my thing! Week three of the course, was all about them.

The lessons were easy enough to follow, but I struggled with interpreting "feelings" and expression, adequately enough.

First job, was to go on location and try to capture a "scene". I chose my verandah and brought my trusty water brush, and Artbar, water soluble crayons. I quite enjoyed this part. It was a beautiful morning, there was a cool breeze and birds were all around. So an incredibly nice place to create in!

I started with the north-east, side of the verandah and tried to keep it simple. I wanted to capture that airy, sunny, morning. I believe I succeeded, and was rather happy with it. So then I moved to the western side of the verandah...

Another pleasing sketch to me - as a sketch. But I didn't really feel I was "abstractifying", very much. I was still, very stuck in realism. Then I received some feedback, by the course creator, to try pushing them a little further - to see if I could tip them, into more abstract.

I thought it was a wonderful idea, and gave it a try on the first sketch...

I really only succeeded in making it a little darker though. Which ruined the airy, sunny, feeling I had successfully captured, previously. I was a little miffed I'd ruined my initial sketch, and my confidence was low, in trying the next exercise.

Which was capturing a view from a window...and once again, it was seen through the lens of our verandah.

The colours looked pretty drab in the image, but I thought I could vamp it up, using non-local colours. I chose acrylic paints, because I need the practice!

I simplified the shapes, and while some aspects of the image, were successful on their own, like...

The brick work, and window frame. As well as ~

The horizon meeting the section of awning, worked as well. But as a whole, the window frame and awning, just looked bulky and stifled the view. 

As far as succeeding, in making a view you WANT to gaze out at - I failed! Burn. But guess what? I walked away learning something, nonetheless. I learned I needed more practice with landscapes. I also learned I was being too emotionally invested. Abstract, requires you to let go of the subject, and give it a new interpretation.

I was struggling, with detaching. Because this was my view, from my home, and I couldn't tear it apart and remake it (I suspect). But not all was lost. I rather enjoyed the last exercise of the week!

We learned all about compositions in landscapes, and were given the opportunity to simply create imaginary landscapes - using those different compositions, as guidelines. But by moving quickly through the nine squares, it didn't leave you long to ponder what you were doing. I seemed to respond well to that, lol. 

But the main objective I decided - given my former failures and learning from them, was just to have fun with it. That was going to be all I focused on. 

I chose a fun colour palette, I think, and only afterwards, did it dawn on me: how reminiscent it was of Ken Done's, earlier works. He used a lot of bright, vivid colours too.

I even incorporated some paper collage, in a few...

Remember, I was working quickly, so when I came back to fill in the final details (done in the darkest colour) I really didn't KNOW what I would pull from the paint. It's "imaginary", so you never really know what you're going to get. The only guideline, was the different rules of compositions.

I didn't know this was going to be a lighthouse, on top of a cliff, when I put the coloured paint down. But the yellow said something of "light", and then I realised there were some waves too!

I knew this was always going to be a crossroads, of sorts, but I didn't realise how busy the park would be, that emerged. Or the vague Asian feel to it. Again, not planned. It just kind of came out, as I was working between the nine squares.

I was thinking water lilies with these...but, not over thinking them.

Some kind of Caribbean location, but far too busy with details, I decided afterwards. So it became my least favourite. But still bright enough, to leave a happy feeling afterwards.

This one seemed to be favoured most, by the private Facebook Group, created for the course. I liked it's simplicity too. When the coloured paint went down, I was thinking "trees". When it came to applying the darker colour however, I changed my mind to, "sails".

So while week three had a bumpy start, and took a few days to work through the lack of confidence - it ended on a high. I enjoyed, going whacko with colours! Also fostering detachment, by working quickly and using my imagination.

I think I needed to absorb that distinction, between realism and abstract, was just letting go of what you see! Filtering through one's imagination though, takes time and a lot of practice.