Paintings of France, Italy and Beyond

Well there’s nothing like computer woes and an out of town trip to keep up the momentum for a painting demonstration! But at long last, here is the resolution to the  demo I started in late April:

When I last left off, I had my concept and composition well planned out, so now I set to work on finishing.  This involves painting in the foreground and punching up the highlights of the middle distance and background, where needed.

But something happens at this point. I kind of get too lost in the irises, making them too defined and pronounced. Soon I find my tunnel vision has gotten me so lost in the irises that they start to take over.

Argh! Attack of the irises! They’ve taken over and are rather too big and too saturated, creating more of a competition with the old abbey.  I’ve also lost the lower wall in the middle distance almost entirely, which I rather liked, as it helped to lead the eye further into the painting.

My solution? Basically I scraped down the entire lower portion of the painting! Eh,  it happens. The paint had become too thick to really rework, and sometimes it’s easier and less distracting to just scrape it off in order to open it back up. In this case I felt a ”do-over” was warrented.

“Irises at Abbaye Nouvelle”
Oil on Canvas, 40″x30″
Click here for more info!

Ahh…better. (At least I think so!) I’ve gotten my herb-covered wall back, and reworked the irises in the foreground so as to frame but not overpower. I’ve treated them a bit more impressionisitcally too,  to flow better with the rest of the painting. I also decided to tone down some of the greens and golds in the middle distance to make them “sit back” in the picture plane.

At this point I’ll conclude. If I touch it any more it will be only a tweak here and there. I’ve shot and reshot the final several times but we are getting such dark days lately with all this rain that I can’t seem to get the nuances in the colors quite right in the photo. This picture is close, but I’ll likely try another shot once the sun comes out.

Jennifer Young; Vibrant Landscapes
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My husband saw this little painting I did of our friends and said “Very Mary Cassat”.  Sweet of him to say, and yes, I’d certainly aspire to paint like her! But I think the Cassat reference had more to do with my painting on the beach than anything else.

I’ve often wanted to paint on the shore the way the Impressionists once did, but always felt somewhat restricted due to the total lack of shade and the sensitivity of my fair skin. This year, however, it has been possible because we’ve borrowed a large 12×12′ canopy from our sister and brother-in-law. Otherwise I’ve had fried in my first 30 minutes on the beach!

The canopy allowed me to set up my easel and caputre this little vignette of our friends Esther and Carrie, engrossed in their summer reading:

“Summer Reading”
Oil on Multimedia Artboard, 6×6″ (NFS)

This painting was done on Multimedia Artboard. I painted straight on an unprimed surface, and I must say I prefer this surface primed with a layer of gesso for oils. While I was able to build the surface texture up after a bit, I found the board too absorbant without any gesso. Any way, after a bit, it was fun. I felt particularly good about the piece since Esther (the one with the dark hair) got up in the middle of the painting to go surfing.  She was a good sport, but still her vacation wouldn’t suffer for my art.

Jennifer Young; Vibrant Landscapes
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French: Bonne année
Portuguese: Feliz ano novo
Spanish: Feliz año nuevo
Arabic (Egypt) : kul sana wentu tayyebeen 
German: Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!
Czech: Šťastný Nový rok
Hebrew: שנה טובה (shana tova)
Italian: Buon anno
Swedish: Gott nytt år
Danish: Godt nytår
Chinese (simplified): xin nian kuai le
Vietnamese: Chúc mừng năm mới
Croatian: Sretna Nova Godina
Dutch: Een Gelukkig NiewJaar!
Hungarian: Boldog Újévet
Turkish: yeni yıllında kutlu olsun
Russian:Ñ?чаÑ?тливого Ð?ового года
Latvian:laimiigu Jauno gadu
Hindi: Nav varsh ki shubh kamnayey
Swahili: Heri ya mwaka mpya

Okay, the only ones I really knew were French and Italian. The rest I had to look up, so forgive me in advance if I’ve butchered your language! There are lots that I’ve missed, so feel free to comment and add to the list. May your 2008 be filled with joy, prosperity, and of course, lots of vibrant color.

Jennifer Young; Vibrant Landscapes
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Just a brief note to say Merry Christmas to all. Thank you to my collectors and blog-readers for your support of my art and for tuning into my website and blog. It really means a lot!

I will be taking a much needed break from studio work between Christmas and New Years day. I’ll still be around, checking email and phone messages from time to time, but I doubt there will be much blogging during this time. I’ll be back blogging in full force in  early ‘08. Enjoy the rest of your holiday season, and have a bright and beautiful 2008!

Jennifer Young; Vibrant Landscapes
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Not much blogging (or painting) this week as my family mourns the loss of my beloved Aunt Sheila. A wonderful mother, wife, and aunt, she was also an amazing poet. For now I will leave you with a painting I did some time ago of her family farm near Warrenton, Virginia.

“Waiting”
Oil on Canvas
20×24″

We will miss you Aunt Sheila!

Jennifer Young; Vibrant Landscapes
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