HIGH KEY PAINTING

An almost spontaneous opportunity to paint as I was visiting family and we popped down to Grotto Beach.
I will as such a beautiful hazy evening with such gentle light ... until the sun finally set and bam the colors went crazy and so did I. Confused as to whether to try and adjust my painting. Almost disappointed I went home feeling like I should have tried. The next morning I looked at my painting again and this time with joy as I realized that there was so much to be said for the challenge of such a high key painting. Nice to feel satisfied regardless of the incredible sunset!

As promised we finally had a similar day with some clouds looking into the sunset.
After my over pre preparing so many sunset colours and getting a really gaudy looking artwork, I decided to get back to the very basics. Three colours and white. So it really was Ultramarine blue , cad yellow and red and white and voila....... so much happier with the result. It does astound me time and again what you can achieve with such a simple palette. Give it a try and let me know!

I just love experimenting with new ideas and probably tackle each new painting with some idea of trying something new.
I am a great proponent of using a limited palette for colour harmony.
But.... with this painting I decided to anticipate the sunset colours repeating the colours I’d imagined from the previous evening. I filled my palette with beautifully premixed colours and when I went painting I found myself struggling as the colours weren’t quite correct and I had too many colours that weren’t working. So now I will go back to the drawing board and haven’t quite decided how I will go about saving this work, but I am thinking of using a glaze and going back to see if I can salvage this artwork!

It’s pure joy being on holiday and free to paint on most days.
I love capturing the changing moods depending on weather. From kiters to perfect summer days.
I enjoy the interaction with people and also appreciate those willing to share their photos.

I spent a few wonderful evenings visiting a special site where so many bird species roosted for the evening.
Painting in oils one evening and watercolors for the next few. It felt like we were in heaven as the terns murmurated above us in flocks of thousands. Just to add to the glory we were treated to glowing pink and black winging to land.... the greater flamingoes. These special moments just cement my love of pleinair painting.

Beth Lowe -pleinair artist-Village Chat/Kontrei Praatjies villagechat.co.za