Friday, July 06, 2007

Across the room


Looking across the living room to the patio window. Feeling quite happy about this pastel. The light was interesting as it was coming from three directions. The window in the background, from a window behind my left shoulder and also very diffuse light from the skylight windows above the chair and table.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

your artworks are beautiful and delicated!

Billie Crain said...

oh Anita....your pastels just keep getting better and better. this is amazing!

Diane Cutter said...

Anita... You've done a wonderful job with your recent pastels in capturing the indoor respite, cool and mysterious and comforting, from a harsh environment! Excellent work!

Anita said...

Alina - thank you!

Billie - beginning to really enjoy them now. Running out of paper fast so I hope my new supply arrives soon.

Diane - thank you. Its definitely more comfortable inside than out!

Making A Mark said...

Anita - lovely and subtle light.

I do keep wishing you'd try dragging and scumbling with the pastel (on its side) though....hope you don't mind me saying this as I do know how one uses one's drawing instrument of choice is very individual

vivien said...

lovely lovely moody light

vivien said...

oh and I see Katherine has said what I just said on the forum

I second her comments and the fact that at the end of the day you must be true to yourself if you don't agree :)

Mary said...

Anita, lovely pastel! I love the modd that the darks in theis set with the hint of light.

Mary said...

Sorry for the spelling, finger mistakes! Too much in a hurry all the time! :(

Stacy said...

Wow Anita! You are coming on strong with the pastels. They are all so beautiful! And just think, one good thing about the heat is your desire to stay inside (and work on your art) where it is cool. I hope your paper arrives soon so you don't have to interrupt the flow you are in.

Jeanette Jobson said...

There's a serene feeling to this interior Anita.

This technique of hatching with pastels is quite unique to me but very effective. It is pastel pencils or regular pastels that you're using? I just wonder how you keep the crisp edge to draw with if they are regular pastels, as mine tend to be flattened rounded ends with occasional sharp corners for details.

Anita said...

Katherine and Vivien - This technique of using hatching lines gives the possibility of building colours in layers starting from a dark colour that is only a percentage layer lighter than the paper itself and then from the layer before. What doesn't show on an image this small is that the colours all work together to shimmer and produce something very different to a typical pastel painting. If you look at the "Comfort Zone" pastel picture in the post Developing a Theme I think that the colour changes shows better in the background behind the chair. Its all about light and the subtle changes of colour and how warmth/coolness change within that light.

Mary - your comments are always welcome (even with spelling mistakes!) :-)

Stacy - I was just thinking this morning that I need to get out and do some work outside but 5:00 in the morning is about the only time its cool enough to do that! Can't wait for the paper to arrive!

Jeanette - its regular pastels. Somehow it seems to still draw the thin lines even when they lose their neat squared off tops.

Todd Camplin said...

Your pastel skill is top notch. I remember my greatest influence when I was making pastels was Degas. I see good layering and great uses of color like Degas in your work.

Anita said...

Camplin - wow, I am flattered! Degas is one of my favourite pastel artists - he has a magical way with colour.

all artwork is copyright of Anita Murphy 2006/2007/2008/2009