This painting is a 16" x 20" canvas.
That is as big as I have painted plein air in a long time.
There are some great rocks along the Maine coast. This one was done late one afternoon.
One benefit that I can see to painting larger is that there is more room to play with the brushwork, and to get a greater variety of color into my masses.
"On the Rocks", 16" x 20" oil on canvas, Frank Gardner © 2008
$1,650. Framed. Available at Galeria Gardner
40 comments:
.....was it in Goodfellas that they did that shot where the camera is pulling away while the lens is zooming in? I think it was in that movie - a restaurant booth scene.....
this painting has that big scope, close perspective feel. LOVE THAT! AND you got BOTH the cool, damp, shaded rock-crevice clamminess along with that warm, rock-warming sun, AND the cool northern air temperature feeling and sun angle ALL AT ONCE!
fun to look at it close-up AND "regular": such vastly different impressions it gives in the two views - bet it's even more stunning in person!
solveg
Frank- what you've been able to show here is the nuance withing each crevice and shift in plane of the rocks, the sun and the shadow. It takes great concentration and precision of brush placement to snag this so successfully.
I think Solveg has stated very eloquently what I've tried to describe above.
The way you interpret detail without fussiness is really masterful.
PS- nice article in the Free Press about your group- I followed it from Colins' web page.
That is big for plein air; came out very well.
personally, i am always amazed at the range of colors you incorporate into your paintings, but wow, you can really really get a feel for the sun on those rocks. i like that you worked bigger, there's definitely a higher concentration of brushwork in each area, which i think is apparent in all of your larger paintings. i love rocks..i've been eyeing up a gigantic manmade rock wall i pass on occasion....
This is fantastic!!! What a wonderful visual treat of colors and strokes. The most beautiful rocks ever :o)
Love the colors in this painting! I'm impressed at how both you and Colin managed to make successful compositions out of these rocks alone - very daring, and you successfully pulled it off =)
I have not seen that movie Solveg, but I know the kind of shot that you are talking about.
I appreciate your thoughts about my paintings.
Bonnie, thanks. I agree, Solveg has a way with words.
Detail without fussiness. Yeah, when it comes out well it looks that way. Sometimes they just look fussy.
Thanks.
The article is good, but she got a few things confused, like that the west coast guys were not that used to painting plein air. That is totally NOT what he said.
I'm glad you checked that out.
In case anyone is wondering, it is at http://www.freepressonline.com/
Tuesday Sept. 30th Cover Story.
Thanks Bill. (or Lisa). Big for me at least. I am shooting for a 24x30 plein air in the near future. I'm gonna need more paint.
Hi Christine. The working big sure gave me room for more color range.
The rocks were fun to paint. I have a few other rock paintings to post before too long.
Alicia. Ha ha... "most beautiful rocks ever".
You are very nice.
Thanks Stacey!
I had painted some smaller studies of rocks earlier in the week, but going bigger was what I needed to get the variations etc...
Actually, I started painting this one while Colin was doing his. His is one nice painting, and it is going to look awesome hanging on my wall : )
He really gave me a jump start to paint some bigger plein air pieces. I have some new gear that is good for larger plein air work. I'll gather some photos and try and post something about it before long.
Love the colors in these rocks... They rock!
Thanks Marian!
Hi Frank..It is always nice to getaway with "the boys", especially with the common interest of painting from life. Good things usually happen. I have enjoyed these pieces that you have done. I like the, "On The Rocks" piece. Nice work ! I am still looking and expecting to see that one gull though. (joking of course)
Take care.
The colors and indication of light in this painting are just beautiful. And you're right, you will need more paint, and bigger brushes for your larger painting!
This is a great piece - you really were tuned into all the glorious color that make up the rocks. I like your brushwork, too. You'll miss all this humidity and wetness in SM!
This is a great piece - you really were tuned into all the glorious color that make up the rocks. I like your brushwork, too. You'll miss all this humidity and wetness in SM!
I agree..this is a very cool painting... love your colours... the lighting... everything
Frank, I love that subtle, close value gradation from bottom to top that parallels the temperature (warm to cool) gradation. This piece sings.
Hi Frank A. Thanks. I did not get many gulls in. I did throw a few in a painting of Gull Rock on Monhegan, but they are pretty small. More like white dots.
Thanks Paula!
Thanks Kelly! There were a lot of reflected colors bouncing around that I tried to pick up on as well as the local color of the rocks.
Hello Silvia. Thanks. and thanks for commenting.
Hi Dianne, Thanks. I'm glad that you noticed the subtle stuff like that.
Nice Frank, this seems like an overwhelming subject. Did you pre-mix your colors for this one? Your trip sounded great, what a great group of artist's.
Hi Barb, it IS an overwhelming subject. I tried a few of just rocks in the time I was up there with mixed results. I think this one came out well, even with the smears when I stuck it in the wet painting carrier back at the car.
I did not pre mix on this one.
Just kind of dove right in.
Wow, that's a big plein air! I've never seen rocks look so interesting. Good stuff.
Cool-looking rock paintings. I like the nocturne painting below, too. Interesting note about painting with the night light.
Paz
These rocks are dynamite Frank. I've been meaning to thank you for your kind words about our new baby boy. I really appreciate you taking the time.
How are things down south?
All the best,
Cooper
Hi Alexandre. Thanks. Yeah, it's big for me at least.
Thanks Paz.
Thanks Cooper. They are in Port Clyde, right up the road from you.
Congratulations again on the baby boy! Enjoy the feeling of being a Dad/ parent.
Things are good down here thanks.
Only you could pull this off...gosh I love your palette!!!
This is a "wow" Frank- It has a wonderful sense of warmth and light. You really pulled it off. And a 16 x 20 en plein air? Aw,gee now you are just making me feel super slow...but thanks for the inspiration.
Faye
Incredibly difficult subject matter and you did a fantastic job of it. Most beautiful rocks I have ever seen! Bravo!
Thanks Ambera.
Thanks Faye. I was not sure if I could cover a whole 16x20 that fast. Never know until you try. I kept me moving.
Thanks Carol.
very good work here.
great sense of color tone and pattern.strong brushwork!
thanks to Theresa I found you.
Hi Milind, Thanks! I am glad that you found the blog.
I really appreciate your comments.
Hope that you stop by again.
This is a nice one Frank.
Thanks Jeremy!
Everyone should go to Jeremy's blog and have a look at a short video of some of the guys painting in Port Clyde at Marshall Point.
here.
http://jeremylipking.blogspot.com/
I really enjoyed that video!!! Thanks for the link!!!
solveg
Frank, the colors on this really sing. wow! Holly
You're welcome Solveg. Thanks for taking a peak.
Thanks a lot Holly!
OMG (in the vernacular used today) was my thought when I opened this.
A masterful arrangement of paint.
One of your very best!
Thanks for the OMG Mary.
Glad you like it. I enjoyed painting it. That size really worked well in this one.
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