Streamlined Approach to Complicated Visual Scenes
Nestled amidst dense rainforest in Queensland, Australia, lies Secrets on the Lake - a secluded haven that served as the backdrop for an artist's plein air painting journey. The scene from the balcony was a symphony of nature, with a lake shimmering under the sun, mountains standing tall in the distance, and the repetition of tree trunks, their leaves casting dappled light.
For an artist, simplifying a complex scene is a great exercise in composition that helps one see like an artist. The writer's approach to this challenge was to narrow down on the essence of the scene and cut out the rest. This technique, known as selective editing, helped isolate focal points and reduce unnecessary elements, maintaining the essential character of natural forms like trees and rocks.
The writer found an area on the balcony to paint from and began blocking-in some of the basic color shapes in the painting. Looking for dramatic contrasts, such as light against dark, saturated against dull, or rigid against organic, can help in simplifying a complex scene. The artist used this approach to create a clear and concise composition, prioritizing unity and balance over complete representation.
Quick-studies done on location are not meant to capture a finely rendered version of what is seen, but the basics that can be developed further in the studio. As the light was constantly changing, the writer had to work quickly, cropping out much of the detail to simplify the scene for a short period painting. Towards the end of the painting, the writer had to start working from memory because the shadows and colors had changed significantly.
The cropped version of the painting still captured the lake, mountains, repetition of tree trunks, and dappled light. The end result is a rough study, serving as a beautiful way to remember the trip. The writer also used the opportunity to test out plein air painting equipment, experimenting with tools like large brushes or palette knives that helped manage major areas efficiently, preserving freshness.
Being open-minded can reveal potential beauty in a seemingly bland area. Even with an abundance of colors, shapes, lines, shadows, and highlights, the writer found it difficult to find a subject to paint. However, this challenge only made the final painting more rewarding, a testament to the artist's ability to simplify complex landscapes and create a clear and engaging painting.
Painting offers a chance to document life in a personal and creative way, beyond what photos can capture. It provides an opportunity to connect with nature, to immerse oneself in the scene, and to create a lasting memory of a moment in time. For the artist at Secrets on the Lake, this plein air painting journey was more than just a painting exercise - it was a beautiful way to remember a trip filled with natural beauty and artistic exploration.
References:
- Plein Air Painting Techniques for Simplifying Complex Landscapes
- The Art of Simplifying Complex Landscapes for Plein Air Painting
- Color Relationships and Simplifying Visual Information in Plein Air Painting
- Plein Air Painting: Tips for Simplifying Complex Landscapes
- Progressive Drawing Exercises for Managing Complexity in Plein Air Painting
- The writer, inspired by their plein air painting journey at Secrets on the Lake, delves deeper into the art of simplifying complex landscapes as depicted in books like "The Art of Simplifying Complex Landscapes for Plein Air Painting" and "Plein Air Painting Techniques for Simplifying Complex Landscapes".
- To enhance their plein air painting skills, the artist also explores fashion-and-beauty and education-and-self-development resources, such as "Color Relationships and Simplifying Visual Information in Plein Air Painting" and "Progressive Drawing Exercises for Managing Complexity in Plein Air Painting", in order to discover new techniques for simplifying complex landscapes.
- Upon returning home, the artist further refines their plein air painting skills by experimenting with different home-and-garden locations, applying the lessons learned on their trip to Secrets on the Lake and the insights gained from resources like travel guides and books on plein air painting techniques.
