Detail of new oil painting, 12"x24"
Above: oil painting worked up in studio from previous acrylic plein air painting (shown below)
Summer Light, acrylic, 12" x 24"
I'm trying something new. Often you hear about artists doing field studies and then working up their paintings in a studio environment. When I'm plein air painting I use acrylics. Well, early this summer I painted a piece that I really loved and wondered what it would look like worked up in oil (which is what I normally use for my daily paintings). So I got a new canvas and looking at the old piece, re-imagined it in oil. I've shown both here. I don't know if you can see it in this size reproduction but the acrylic has much more "ground" poking through. And more brushy and translucent layers. Does the oil capture the spontaneity of the original acrylic? I'm leaning to the acrylic piece as the winner here but maybe it's because I've looked at it longer and have grown more attached. Maybe the oil is more polished? Thoughts? What are your experiences in this type of thing? You can see the acrylic painting in a larger format here. Happy holiday weekend!
10 comments:
Well they are both so similar! Hmm... If I HAD to choose one, I think the acrylic wins... but only just! You have SOMEHOW managed to retain a feeling of spontaneity in the studio sketch which is very difficult to do.
I was once asked to do another painting of the shoes (behind my blog banner) only this time, for twins and so it was two pairs of baby shoes and the big boots. Although they were delighted with the painting, I felt that it most definitely lacked the spontaneity of the first, so I know how difficult this is. Still, you have absolutely managed it! :0)
I actually like the acrylic piece with the the more transparent paint a bit better. Both are fantastic but if I had to choose, I choose the acrylic one.
You're right, Kim; the original has more spontaneity- but the oil one is nice too. That's a tough one. I have been reworking older daily paintings that I think need improvement, and I often think I've improved them, only to look at them later and realize that despite improving the composition, the values, etc, I killed the spirit. I'm not sure how to maintain that. It would be nice to hear from somebody who has some tricks that work for them!
Hi Kim!... Glad to see you pushing the envelope and adding new strategies to you process!
Making significant changes/shifts from small to larger format... everyday things to landscape... acrylic comfort to oils are huge undertakings that take time to show real or meaningful growth.
The larger acrylic obviously is the stonger child... simply been around longer and shows your comfort and understanding of the medium.
Keep at it!
Happy Labour Day Weekend to you and the Grimsby Gang!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi Kim,
This is gorgeous!!!
Marcia
Really liking what you are doing with the positive/negative shapes with the trees. Colors...so inviting.
Hi Kim,
I'm a sucker for both for different reasons.
Both get my vote.
XO Barbara
Kim,
They are great, love the bold shapes in both! The acrylic has a slight edge for me...it feels a bit lighter with the transparency and lighter sky.
Yep, the acrylic wins at this point I think but they are both lovely. -Maybe push the oil piece in a bit of a different direction and it will come out to a tie?
This work of yours has a very Cezanne sort of style about it. Also, I love it when an artist tackles the same subject twice. It usually leads to a discovery of some sort. Nice experimentation; nice work!
The original plein air version is really captivating and ohhh so soothing to contemplate. The underpainting tones give it such a richness. However, I did come here to see the detail of the oil, which is also beautiful in its own way. But that plein air just sings. Kudos!
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