Water Course, Wilpena Creek "Completed"

Wilpena Pound's Waterway
Approx 34cm x 48cm
Pastel on Terra Cotta Colourfix Paper
Copyright Susan Borgas

Cripes I have just about forgotten how to use Blogger because it has been so long since I have posted. I also see some new ideas that I can try out with Blogger as well . Hey and I bet you thought you would never ever see this pastel work finished.

I have changed the title of the painting, as the original was not what I really wanted for the finished piece. Anyway I do hope you like it.

For those that have posted comments and written emails to me, please accept this as a thank you from me, as I look more positively towards the next twelve months and years to come.

Links to this WIP:

1. Water Course, Wilpena Creek WIP
   
   
2. Water Course, Wilpena Creek two WIP
   

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technorati tags: pastel, landscape, artist, photorealism

Water Course, Wilpena Creek WIP two

Installment two of this work in progress after a long busy period in my life then to end with the worse bout of illness that I have ever had for a very long time. Anyway moving on from what is past, this pastel is now coming along nicely.

It is funny how you see things wrong when an image of ones work is put up on a monitor. That distant flat middle ground in front of the hills needs to have the values checked. Something does not 'mesh' there and I will let you know what I end up doing if I adjust it.

Yes you do see a little pool of water. I don't think I will place a lot of water in the bottom of the creek, just a hint of moisture to give some interest to the composition.

Until next time, take care!

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technorati tags: landscape, pastel landscape, pastel, artist, Australian landscape, Wilpena Pound, photorealism

Water Course, Wilpena Creek WIP

Water Course, Wilpena Creek WIP
Approx 34cm x 48cm
Pastel on Terra Cotta Colourfix Paper
Copyright Susan Borgas

I do enjoy working from a detailed drawing with this one no exception. I guess that is the realist painter in me that seems to have me by the jugular and isn't going to let go. I will never become a photorealist artist because I don't have the desire to spend anymore time on a painting than I already do.

Anyway I don't think that I would get paid for the hours that I would have to put into photorealism work. So many viewers of my work in real life are surprised that up close to my pastels, it is in fact not like a photo, as they thought when standing back, but made up of many marks with some more realistic than others; depending on what I want them to see in focus.

Between finishing two paintings started at Wilpena Pound and cooking for shearers on the family farm, I did manage to start this work in progress (WIP) since I have returned home. Amid packing paintings for shipment, more cooking for shearers and a funeral of a dear artist friend on Monday who has been my mentor from the very beginning of my journey with art. You can see some of his work here. I also have a shopping day Tuesday in readiness for our sons wedding later this month and because of all of this the next few days will have spasmodic posts to this blog. This isn't a promise but may get the odd photo up on SnapShots during that time.


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technorati tags: pastel, landscape, artist, artist, photorealism

Chambers Gorge Rock Pool "WIP" ten

Although not perfect the image for todays update is much closer to the real life colour of the Chambers Gorge Rock Pool, where as yesterdays was saturated with a lot of red.

Todays progress consists of more glazing over the still water along with grasses amongst the rocks. Also another layer added to the foliage of the trees in the background along with some timber. More flicks of colour were added to the mat of grass in the middle ground.

Strangely enough the more I do to this painting; another area then needs to be worked on. It is like playing 'catch up' at all times and yep that means I will be catching you with another post once more on this subject.

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technorati tags: oil, wip, grisaille, landscape, art, artist, landscape artist

Chambers Gorge Rock Pool "WIP" nine

Finely a long overdue update for you to scrutinise. Having never used this grisaille technique before I have to admit to being out of the comfort zone, especially when working on a painting of this size.

The addition of flora as well as glazes over the water area is now starting to really breath life into the painting that I can now see the long awaited finish line approaching.

The image colours are not quite correct with the reds coming through a little strong on the right as well the shadow colour in the rocks are brighter than they should be. In real life it does look much better but with a dark dreary day here for photos and wanting to post to my blog; this photo is it for today.

What next? More glazes along with flicks and dabs to refine areas that need attention, so until then I have plans for another update tomorrow..... grrrr and watch out who ever gets in my way of this happening!

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Water's Path - Willochra Creek "Completed"

Water's Path - Willochra Creek
Pastel
Copyright Susan Borgas

'Completed' is part of the title but as I look at my monitor I see straight away a problem with the reflection where there is a sharp edge of light just to the left of the large curled root. I think some movement of water to take that straight edge off would benefit this area greatly.

Since my last posting the area of the shaded stones and tallish grass to the right has been completed. Also the remainder of the right hand side bank that is in light has now had dry leaf litter and grasses added. Water is finished other than a little adjustment on that light area that I spoke about. Twigs have been placed in the canopy as well as any other minor adjustments that needed doing.

There will be no further images of this painting on my blog although a new photo of the work will be placed on my website just prior to framing.

To make it easier to find the steps to "Water's Path - Willochra Creek" from past postings on this blog, the links are below.

• Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP"

• Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" two

• Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" three

• Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" four

• Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" five

• Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" six

• Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" seven

• Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" eight

• Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" nine

• Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" ten

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technorati tags: landscape, large trees, pastel, water scene, WIP, art, artist

Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" ten

Still working on the water the progress is slowing and surely coming to completion in this area. I estimate another four hours on the water to bring it up to my own satisfaction. Probably another four hours on top of that to finish off the rest of the painting.

There isn't much I can add about the water from yesterdays entry so rather than bore you to tears with what seems little progress I think I will now leave my next post of this work until completed.

Edit: I hope I haven't doubled up your rss feeds with this edit but wanted to add that I have used a colour shaper to blend the colours in the water. The direction of the blending is mostly vertical in the reflections with some horizontal over the transparent water.


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technorati tags: landscape, large trees, pastel, water scene, WIP

Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" nine

Anyone would think I have fleas as I am now at the stage of the painting that I do a lot of head scratching from my brain going into overload, as I think about how and where I lay my pastel strokes. Most of these marks consist of vertical and horizontal application to mimic water reflections. Also some of the vertical lines are squiggled onto the paper to give the impression that the water has subtle movement to it.

For the most part water reflections are darker than the object that it reflects. This is also true with transparent water. What we see under water in nature is darker and murkier which makes edges of what we see softer and not so dominant. The values will actually be very similar if not mostly the same. It is the colour of the object that makes it seem lighter when laid against another because if we were to squint at what we see under water, the values would be generally the same. If I get my values correct we should be able to see transparent water, reflections and shadow across this water.


Sorry if I am confusing you as what I consider I know in my own head isn't something I find easy to write down.

I think there is going to be a lot more head scratching over the next day or so to really nail this work.

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Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" eight

The canopy is now well on its way. I haven't place the twigs and smaller branches in yet because I want to be sure that I have the foliage the way that I want it before flicking and squiggling fat and thin lines in the canopy.

I still have the banks to complete but before doing so dropped in the sky colour into the water reflections, as I am getting impatient to start in this area. This blue will need the values adjusted slightly but won't be doing that until the surrounding refections and transparent water are added so that I can 'read' what is there correctly.

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technorati tags: wip, Pastel artist, pastel, landscape pastel

Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" seven

There is a lot more to do in the canopy area although the basics are there now to help guide me with the rest.

It wasn't until I put some music on with plenty of upbeat that I could get into the rhythm of painting the foliage of the trees. My belief is it must be the tempo that helps the mind to free up to get on with the job at hand. Does this ever happen to you?

There won't be another post on this blog now for a few days because Malcolm and I are doing a trip down memory lane in the outback where I grew up. I need tomorrow to organise a few things before my brother and his wife turn up here at the farm, as we are making this journey together.

There will be photos on my SnapShots blog on my return......cheers for now!

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Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" six

Working on the background to the right from the largest tree trunks is the hardest section so far of this pastel painting. Always thinking about the aerial and atmospheric perspective some of the contrast maybe a little strong yet, but am aware that once the foliage is put in place that some areas will grey off as well as a reduced amount of contrast.

Until next time, take care!

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Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" five

Moving on from the previous post my next stint on this work had me putting in a few twigs and timber in the mass of foliage to the left of the large tree trunks. I then moved down to the base of that collection of growth and attached them to the ground so that the group of trees and shrubs were not floating.

Progressing in a downward direction I worked on the bank of the creek at all times thinking about the light striking on this area. As so often these days my thoughts are constantly thinking about how the light effects the shadowed areas. They are NOT a mass of the darkest darks because of the reflective light that bounces around in them. There is a softer shadow in amongst the darker areas where a little more light finds it way through the growth of trees above. I also have in my own mind that the shadows further away from the object throwing the darker colour is softer than right up against it. For example a tree trunk shadow will be stronger near the base than the part of the shaded area that is further out.

Ok enough prattle about shadows.... back to the bank of the creek. As I did on the right hand side of the bank I worked the left hand side with my pastel stokes following down the side of the slope. In nature when there is rain, the water would run downwards into the creek with tiny little water courses and find that by following the banks downwards with my pastel strokes helps to imitate what nature does. Of course nature doesn't always play fair so I tend to help it along at times as well.

I have started placing in the middle ground to the right of of the large tree trunks so my guess is when starting work today that area will be continued on with.

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Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" four

Progress is happening although slowly. This painting is all about the process and enjoying what I am doing rather than constantly watching the clock thinking about wanting to advance the work enough to post on my blog.





These close-up samples are an offering to you for your patience waiting for updates.





The scrubby area to the left of the tree trunk isn't finished but close to it. There will be branches placed in amongst the foliage yet.

Once I have all the areas caught up there possibly will be tweaks here and there as often is the case. Mmmmm....what area will I tackle next.....stay tuned on that one!




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Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP" two

Believe it or not there is three hours done on this work today...... slow as I am it will hopefully mean less mistakes to be fixed.

Studying the shadowed side of the tree that has been worked on today I may darken it slightly by one or two value in some parts. The trunk is very light so will give the shadowed side some more thought without rushing into it.

For those that wonder if I am using white pastel, the answer is no. I do not use pure white in my work. I do love the Art Spectrum Australian Grey for my lightest lights on the tree trunks. I will also sneak a few other interesting colours in just to vary it and admit to trying out new colours to see if they work and if they do, they stay.

Sigh!!! I just dropped a heap of pastels that I have for back-up stock. Lets just say that dropping soft pastels from a hight of 30 cm (12"), I now have a lot more pieces than I originally had.....grrrrrr!


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Water's Path - Willochra Creek "WIP"

Work is 47.5cm high x 68cm wide.
Burgundy Art Spectrum Colourfix

Working on a large oil painting I found that I am having withdrawals from my pastels so while I wait for paint to set some more I thought I would start a Wip.

I started this one by finding my lightest lights (as I usually do with pastels) and my darkest darks. The darks I normally don’t find all of them at this point of my work but found after working with my latest oil painting, which I used the grisaille method, I am much more aware of the tones. I recommend a grisaille to anyone that has trouble identifying tones in their work.

The taller eucalyptus tree on the right wasn’t positioned very well as it was dead centre. I knew this before sketching onto the paper and moved the tree across on what is hopefully a much better position. It will also allow the eye to travel through to the background taking away the feeling of being trapped when viewing the painting.

Golly I can't stop yawning...... I do find pastelling so relaxing and could crawl up in a corner somewhere and have a snooze but instead I will go and cook the evening meal for hubby and I....cheers for now!

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Who we are and Chambers Gorge Rock Pool "WIP" eight

There is a get to know you thread in the Talk Pastel Forum at WetCanvas. For the artist that read this blog there might be someone there you know or would like to get to know better. Here is a quick link to Who we are at WetCanvas.

Below is my own contribution along with this photo in todays post. As you can see there is some glare on the painting, especially so in the sky. The sky actually does recede more than this image shows. I am wary about bringing in vegetation too quickly over the sky because I don't want any cracking of the darker paint to occur. I am constantly checking that mixing mediums into my oil paint is done correctly and once more this is where WetCanvas helps me enormously.

Ok enough of the prattle as there is enough to read below.

I have been following this thread with great interest and thought it was time that I added my own profile.

As a child I lived in the Pastoral Regions of the Gawler Ranges of South Australia. As station life meant creating my own entertainment, I spent much of my time doing what I loved most - drawing.

At the beginning of my high school years I moved to Quorn in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia to live with my grandparents. Even though I had visited my grandparents in the past, this was the beginning of a new era, where I would remain living in the Flinders Ranges.

I spent one year with my grandparents before moving with my family to Black Rock and eventually Orroroo. I stayed at Orroroo until I married in 1976, moving onto my husband's family farming property near Booleroo Centre. We still live there to this day. We have three children who are in the workforce.

Life was pretty busy on the farm, bringing up a family and the ensuing commitments. It wasn't until 1992 that I seriously considered taking up painting. Watercolour was the first medium that I ever used followed closely by oils. How times change as I am now primary a Pastelist. Even though pastel is my main medium that I now use, other types of paint and drawing materials and technique do embrace a large part of who I am as an artist. For example at the moment I am studying the Grisaille technique in oils, which is mentally quite taxing but oh am I learning such a lot! I have recently purchased coloured pencils and like other mediums that I have used, I won’t be satisfied until I know how to use them to the best of my ability.

My life does not just revolved around my art. Working on the farm; office duties often are calling me plus play a support role to my husband when the farm is very busy. One of my children is married with another wedding in a few months time. I like to share what I do when it comes to my creative side of my life as I do get so much in return. This is why I like to be involved with WetCanvas as much as I can. Putting all my work in one place and talking about it on my Arts & Stuff blog also enables me to interact with other artist.

Today I tidied up my face and hair ready for church and I thought here was a good opportunity to show you a ‘not so scruffy’ artist in her studio. I am still in my daggy clothes that I wear at home and apologise for the uneven light with glare spots. The painting is the Grisaille that I am working on and is taking forever to do but like I said, I am learning a lot.

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technorati tags: Profile, wip, oil, grisialle, Susan Borgas

Chambers Gorge Rock Pool “WIP” seven

I am soooo enjoying this stage of the oil painting. All the hard work has been done working out the tonal map with the grisaille technique that I can now just add my layers of colour.

Because it is a landscape I have some flat darker colour in some areas where vegetation will be placed over the top giving the grasses and shrubbery depth. You didn't think I was going to paint every blade of grass did ya?

This image isn't the best as the yellow for some reason wants to be dominant and yet the painting has very little left from the under painting. The rocks in fact do have a very pale wash of Burnt Sienna over them. Maybe the camera is picking up the yellow from that. I don't really have the time to spare to play around with the image too much so this one is it folks!

I am hoping for a translucent sky, which already has two glazes of colour with more to come. I am unable to add the shrubbery that will come up above the skyline until this area is completed with glazes.

Did I say I am enjoying this stage of the painting!!!

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Grisaille landscape chambers gorge oil painting

Chambers Gorge Rock Pool “WIP” six

Just a very quick post today showing you the landscape painting that I am working on as is in my studio.

Today I actually worked all over the painting, refining some of the tonal values with glazes along with catching other areas up.

Back to the studio I go..... [imagine waving smiley here]

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technorati tags: Wip Chambers Gorge studio shot landscape oil painting, grisaille

Chambers Gorge Rock Pool “WIP” five

Did some more work on this grisaille today and made sure a photo was taken this time. The yellow is showing up stronger than it really is. Not sure if it is my camera or the light conditions the photo was taken under.

Yesterday was spent cleaning up in my garden, which I haven't done for twelve months or more and that is my excuse that I never posted to this blog yesterday.

At the moment the weather is so beautiful here that my garden is just begging me to give it some tender loving care. Hopefully with some more rain in the near future, my garden will bounce back to its former glory. I may then come up with a garden painting if the area is pretty enough.

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technorati tags: grisaille, oil, landscape, garden, photo, blog