Here is one that was done without any outlines at all, either pencil or pen. I just started right in with watercolor and then decided not to add pen lines just to remind myself that clear outlines are not always necessary even if I feel more comfortable with them. This is another view of Mount Lassen.
trebor61 8:35 am on June 11, 2009 | #
Another lovely view of your area. Its interesting to follow your views from this, and your last posting regarding outlines. If you hadn’t mentioned the hard edges, in the June 10th picture I doubt if anyone would have noticed. I have come across “died in the wool” traditionalists who say you must draw with the brush. Frankly I find this so difficult and anything which makes life hard for me, takes the fun out of it. I was at a major exhibition of Turner’s paintings and sketchbooks a couple of weeks ago. On display were some of his unfinished works. Its hard to describe these but, in most cases, these incomplete paintings were “finished”, at the top part of the page, while the other areas were filled in, in some detail, with pencil and I’m talking about a hard pencil, engraved into the surface. I think it goes to show that there are no real hard fast rules for this game. Maybe you should compromise and use broken, lost lines of varying thickness but, in any case, just do what feels right for you and surely you will arrive at more of these superb scenes.
roseindigo 9:03 am on June 11, 2009 | #
I agree, Bob, that there are no hard and fast rules for art. Because of my botanical background and lifelong poor eyesight, I tend to feel more comfortable with crisp clear outlines in art, and even though I LOVE impressionist art, I would have a hard time living with it because I would think after a while that I’m going blind.
Lately, however, I’ve been trying to not use ink lines as much, although I may use a very light basic pencil sketch if the subject is complex, and I’m discovering the importance of white space with watercolor to define some of the edges. I really don’t find it so difficult, but think of it as fun just to see what happens next. I use my sketchbooks for all sorts of experiments and don’t get stressed if something doesn’t turn out right. In fact, after having filled dozens of sketchbooks over the years, I can see the progress I’ve made and the various experiments that I ended up discarding and others that I’ve incorporated into my work. It’s kind of fun to see that you actually do make progress if you practice enough and make enough mistakes.
About mistakes, I was raised with my father always claiming “mistakes are not allowed” and dealing with his displeasure if I made one, so it took me a long time to get over that and learn to relax. These days I figure if I am not making mistakes I’m not learning anything new.
I’m glad Leo posted this one right after the one where I did outline the background mountains, because that way people can compare them and see the difference, and make up their own minds. Thanks Leo.
Leo 9:18 am on June 11, 2009 | #
If outlining the mountains was a mistake – it was a happy one. I, personally, like that one better. Reminds me of Nikolai Rerich and his Himalayan paintings.
roseindigo 9:30 am on June 11, 2009 | #
WOW, what a treat to look at Rerich’s paintings!!! I had never heard of him before, but I surely have now. Will probably study his technique for some time to come. Thanks again Leo!
Leo 9:47 am on June 11, 2009 | #
They spell his name in all kinds of different ways – Nikolai, Nikolay, Nicholas… Rerih, Rerich, Roerich…
Here’s the museum’s site: http://www.roerich.org
Look at the later years for mountain paintings, this is when he travelled to India, where he died.
Nick Powell 10:18 am on June 11, 2009 | #
Love em both, but I like the sharpness of the first one in the moleskine because of the size,maybe as an A3 painting the second would be better who knows?
Nick Powell 10:19 am on June 11, 2009 | #
By the way love the Roerich paintings hope to spend more time on the site tomorrow first impressions are very good!!!!