Sunday, January 17, 2010

Learning--Perspective Study--Jacksonville Pier Painting

Some paintings grow from an effort to learn or practice a particular skill. A few years ago, I worked on this piece primarily to practice handling perspective, trying to show the Jacksonville Pier extending into the distance. It was also an early attempt to capture ocean waves--not a simple task, either. Although it took considerable time and work, this is, in essence, a study--or a study plus some development. The painting itself is approximately 11" X 17", an acrylic on heavy acid-free art paper. Although it began as a study, it seemed worth having professionally mounted and matted when it was finished and now has an overall size of 18" X 24", which will fit a standard frame.
Given my math background and tendency to over-analyze some things, I tried to reason out the representation of depth in proper perspective on a flat surface. However, working carefully with several photos of the pier and struggling until the view looked right to me yielded a better result than all that meticulous figuring had. Interestingly, an exact scaling up of the pier and its pilings from photos to painting did not quite "look right", and I had to tinker with the sizing and spacing to achieve a realistic representation (at least, one that looked realistic to me). I am tempted to philosophize on appearances vs. reality or some silly thing, but will spare you that.
Question of the day: Is it just me, or is struggling to master something difficult more fun and rewarding than doing the things that come easily?

8 comments:

  1. Mary,
    your painting is terrific. The water and sky are amazing!! I just love this one!!

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  2. Thank you, Manon--your response is very encouraging. Our skies and ocean are so beautiful that I never feel adequate to painting them. My hope is that my love for this lovely area will show in what I do.

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  3. Yep, ocean waves can be tricky. You did a great job though! The perspective looks outstanding too!

    At least you were not scared to give it a try, and now it will be easy for you from here on out!!

    Aloha!

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  4. I love your art work. It is beautiful.

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  5. I, like you, often over analyze. I have even taken out the ruler and counted 1/16ths in an effort to get it just perfect. Anyway, this is such a pretty scene and I love the distance you've captured and those elusive ocean waves! As to your question, the process might not be the most fun but when you do get something that was a challenge, it sure is more rewarding in the end!

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  6. I appreciate your feedback, Lisa, especially since you know all about painting the ocean and much bigger waves than we normally see in North Florida. Nice of you to include a pat on the back for giving it a try, too. Aloha!

    Thank you very much, Bill! I know you are not given to empty praise, so your comment means a lot to me.

    Nice distinction you make in your response to the question, Autumn. It's so true that the process in taking on a challenge might not be fun, although I sometimes like the adrenalin surge of feeling out of my depth :>) I'm glad to know I am not the only painter making proportion calculations and checking with a ruler. Nothing wrong with that, I say--unless we get totally stuck there and don't let the painting emerge from within ourselves (or from wherever--sometimes they seem to come from another source altogether).

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  7. It's a great painting Mary! The foreground is done beautifully; and I agree to be an achiever one has to attempt the more complicated and tricky things.
    Take care and thanks for sharing.

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  8. Thank you for your helpful comments, Sadia. I appreciate the specific detail in your response. Yes, those tricky things . . . frustrating and yet important for that growing edge.

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