My Blog List

Monday, June 18, 2012

Pastel Impression

Dutch Blue



Somewhere in Holland there's a city street on a canal that has what looks like a blue apartment building with yellow window and door casings. and a red orange roof.  It must be a notable tourist attraction for I found the reference photo in a Tauck tour publication.  The colors got me. I tore the photo out and used it to further explore pastels as a sketching medium.  I definitely need to renew my supplies, but the texture of my paper is fine.  I could use more grayed down colors. This drawing is  garish--too primary. I seem to be out of whack these days. I haven't a clue why. Makes me sad. I think I'll give this up till tranquility returns to my household. I say that, but I won't be able to. I need to make my marks to keep myself myself.

16 comments:

  1. oh I don't know...one of my teachers would call those colors "strident" which seems a better description than garish. Some people really love strident colors...I do! I think this is great and would spice up any room. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much Celeste. I was afraid I was going totally mad. Yesterday was everybody's laundry day. Tons of loads. Lots of clothes. Few of them mine. Lots of domestic traffic going on here. My inner peace is gone and I'm getting fat and blown up from over indulging in chips. There's Pringles everywhere I look and I can't resist.I'm afraid my lack of control is showing in my touch. Calm will return on the weekend. My loved ones are off to Chicago and a Six Flags Amusement park that has the grandest, most scary roller coaster ride in the country. They will return here on Sunday and leave for home the following Tuesday.

      Delete
  2. I don't think it's garrish! I think it's bold and dynamic. Your strokes look great on that paper too. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The rough texture of Strathmore Charcoal paper is very nice Crystal. My strokes fit the nature of the paper. It's also possible that I really think that such vividly colored buildings are garish?

      Delete
  3. I like how rough it is, but still has a clear structure and contrasts, well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The paper is rough Roger. The marks match the paper. Thanks. I do enjoy attacking the surface alla prima and coming away with what my impressions of the subject really are.

      Delete
  4. I like the primaries! Since it is Holland I'm interested to know where this building is??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll take a look---The photograph was taken by Kathleen Whittaker--and all that is said under it is "Holland and Belgium." It's a page that talks about Tauck's tour of central Europe. It looks pretty extensive (and expensive) "from Holland and Belgium to Warsaw, Prague, Budapest and legendary cities along the Danube...down to the Black Sea...up through Italy to Venice...to Italian mountain lakes," blah, blah , blah. It's in their 2012, Yellow Roads of Europe book. I trimmed the picture down for my purposes. Sorry Judy.

      Delete
  5. I can only feel by my heart if I like .. And I do. All the best to you, my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You too Marias. Thank you. I always have my doubts. I think it's because I'm very late to the show.

      Delete
  6. A powerful image with lovely abstract qualities.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mick. I was just on my way to your place. I see something interesting there. I do love the title of your blog; it is so true.

      Delete
  7. Well I really like it - it is one of those that will catch my attention for a second look and make me wonder about the story behind it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I am thrilled at its reception. My judgement is a bit clouded.

      Delete
  8. Linda, it's bright, alive and dynamic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I am flattered. I was feeling bright, alive, but I don't know about dynamic? We were stuck in the house. Everybody was whacked out from driving and sitting through the NASCAR races. The day was gray. The laundry was overwhelming. Just me, this photo I grabbed and my pastels--just the sticks. I forgot the pencils downstairs and was too lazy to go find them. I figured if I looked busy enough,drawing and changing loads, no one would talk to me. Pastels are very dirty and unkind to nails. Broke three.

      Delete