Monday, March 17, 2008

Chinese New Year Offering

I'm way late with the Chinese New Year theme but it's not really about that. This was supposed to be a "simple" drapery study using only ambient light ;) which turned out to be not about drapery at all. For those who paint from photos, take note here. Look how far you can push color in the shadows. It took me forever to learn that shadows aren't dark colorless holes.

19 comments:

rob ijbema said...

you are right about that Mary,shadows take all kind off reflected colors,love that green against the orange orange!

Unknown said...

You choice of colors is lovely Mary. Happy St. Patricks Day! and Chinese New Year!

Dawn said...

very nice Mary! great palatte.

virtual nexus said...

...You've taken the complementary into the shadows? The blue-violet in the flowers sizzles!

Liquid said...

Bravo!
This beautiful painting and bit of information certianly helped me put into perspective the shadows that I have felt lately.
I am going to remember this and imagine splashes of lavender and green when I feel a shadow comin' on!

Your work is simply, BRILLIANT!

Have a super sunny day, today!

Elizabeth said...

Super paintings!
you would LOVE Morocco - just your sort of colors.
Do get in touch by e-mail if you want to visit - or even stay in the little riad over the summer.
We will be in the US.
All best wishes

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

I am so grateful to you all for your comments.
It really makes such a difference knowing that people are appreciating my work since I'm going to do it any way ;)

Rob, I just love pushing color and compliments, no pun intended, are my thing,

John, thank you and I do hope you offered the travelers a glass or two of green beer ;)
Dawn, thanks, this was kind of experimental. I'm trying different color combos.
Julie,
you are correct, I pushed the color in the shadows towards the compliment to vibrate the color.
I'm always thinking in terms of the compliments. red/green, yellow/violet and blue/orange.

'Sizzle' is a great word and I'm honored by that description because it nails what I was trying to do :D
Thank You!

Island, now you know and you'll notice it more. Your blog is wonderful too.

Liquid, thanks for using the B word :) I'm quite flattered. Yes, color in the shadows is the secret to a 'realistic' looking painting. Thanks for your visit!

Elizabeth, how I wish I could run off to your charming little rental in Marrekech. I enjoyed participating in the door posts!

Willow said...

I like the greens and blues. They remind me of paintings I've seen of California landscapes. Green, blue, brown, yellow with a little orange thrown in.

I am learning a lot from just looking at your paintings and explanations.

Frank Gardner said...

Great limited value range Mary. You are right about shadows not being so dark.

virtual nexus said...

...Thanks for your comment on mine.
I felt like I was a lot on sensory overload when we visited Colo and New Mexico for a month some years ago...
a lot of it in a creative sense!

Christine Mercer-Vernon said...

i like your use of complimentary colors in this painting. i am a big fan of limited palettes, it forces you to examine each highlight and shadow in a new way. lovely.

ellen b. said...

This is beautiful to my eyes! Ahh to be able to create beauty like this must be very satisfying...

Willow said...

Actually I am a native Oregonian. My father was transferred to Boston after I was grown and married but we visited them twice during their 1 1/2 years there.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary,
Really like your color and close values here...special!

rdl said...

ditto liquid- wonderful work!
but where's the green beer?

Joyce said...

Mary, thanks for visiting my site and leaving a comment. I see you are inspired by Duane Keiser too. He has affected a lot of people's art practices, I think.

Now I'm going to take a leisurely look at your website.

Candy Barr said...

Boy Mary, I just saw this work on Marketplace site posted today and already 19 comments! I'm late getting in here.. but it is a stunning painting.. taking after the "wild beasts" you fauvist!

Just Plain 'Jane' said...

Hi Mary!! Thank you for visiting me on my blog! I enjoy YOUR comments as much as I enjoy listening to myself! You crack me up!! Love this composition and color of your painting! It really has a flavor of the orient! Wonderful!!

Janets Planet said...

Thanks for stopping by. I love the freshness of this painting.

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