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Monterey Cypress Commission Continues

One of the advantages of studio painting is the control you have over your environment,  your light,  your time and even your perspective. Why not turn your painting on end or upside down? When you look at things from a different angle you can trick your eye into seeing things as they are instead of as your brain thinks they should be.

Marie Cameron Monterey Cypress Commission Continues SIde Photo 2012


Painting straight horizon lines becomes easier when the painting rotated.

Marie Cameron Monterey Cypress Commission Continues SIde Photo 2012


Turn the painting to accomodate your natural brush stokes.

Marie Cameron Monterey Cypress Commission Continues SIde Photo 2012


Why not?

Marie Cameron Monterey Cypress Commission Continues 2012


I’ve worked more highlight and shadow detail into the greenery and built up the sky but realized there was a balance issue with so many raking diagonals happening in only one direction.

Marie Cameron Monterey Cypress Commission Continues 2012


To counterbalance the one way diagonals I painted out the horizontal cloud formations and created diagonals which are tipped in the opposite direction,

 

  1. I love the raspberry and tuscan/burgandy red wine shading on the sea and mauve tinted clouds. The vivid green foilage looks so fresh you can almost smell the thyme! Is this early morning?

    Words escape me – simply Fantastic !!

  2. mariecameron says:

    I’m glad you’re enjoying how the piece is coming together Sandra! We were there late morning. The sun kept trying to burn through the coastal fog with lesser and greater degrees of success. The scene was infused with dispersed light and the sea air was fresh and carried the scent to cypress and wild sage. I’ll be working on this piece again today.

  3. I’m impressed !! The change to the opposite diagonal in the cloud formations, makes so much difference to the balance of the painting. GOOD, no GREAT experienced “eye”, Marie. More detailed vegetation -all in all a softer, appealing look. PERFECT.

  4. mariecameron says:

    I had the sensation that the sea would drain out of the painting if I did not come up with a stabilizing solution.

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