Wednesday 30 September 2009

Digital experiment

Sennen Sunrise, digital experiment from plein air sketches. Vivien Blackburn

I want to work on a series of large canvasses from the plein air sketches of Cornwall that I've shown here and on my blog (links below).

As I can't get on with them today I had a quick 'play' with photoshop to come up with some ideas that take images forward - and I quite like this one. I do like doing paintings of night/dusk/early dawn. I think I'll have to have a go on a fairly large canvas and try to get this light :>)

It might be a challenge to try a large watercolour too.

links to relevant sketches:

sketches done plein air

other digital experiments here

more

oh for more time to paint .....

13 comments:

Jeanette Jobson said...

The light is perfect in this. My eyes are straining to make out the water in the fading light.

Oh yes, try this as a painting, it would be wonderful.

Dr Mad Fish said...

Nice work.

Charlene Brown said...

I've often photoshopped realistic paintings into semi-abstracts, with an eye to painting the result... but usually end up losing enthusiasm, and just leaving even the ones I like as digital files. Must admit, I'm much more excited about what you might produce from this lovely image. I really hope you do it as a large watercolour!

Kelly M. said...

Vivian -- It's a must! I've done something similar on my computer with small works, mostly gouache or watercolor. It's amazing how the ability to shift hues, etc. opens up possibilities. This would make a wonderful large-scale work -- and no "lashing to the mast"!

vivien said...

Thank you both :>)

I will do it - exactly! no tying to the mast ;>)

vivien said...

Yes, I've abstracted a lot but left them as digital prints Charlene - though a couple of times I've worked successfully in pastel, moving them on further and not simply reproducing.

With this one I don't think I'd move it too far from this, though inevitably it would change as it starts talking back to me as I work.

Sarah said...

Oh for more time to paint indeed, I am feeling the same and also thinking of large watercolours...excitedly finishing an illustration project and then...next week!
This image, I will look forward to seeing what you do, I hadnt thought of digitally experimenting before attempting a painting, interesting!

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

I also have "large" in mind, coming back from Hawaii, and preferably oil...somehow I can't think that big in watercolour - it can defintely be a challenge. I find it so interesting that you can work in phototshop to determine the course /direction of a painting...any lessons?, because I'm hopeless in doing that! I'm looking forwad to seeing where you're going to go with this one...remember to repost this along with the final painting, would be nice to see them side by side.
Ronell

vivien said...

I thought you'd been quiet recently Sarah - look forward to new work :)

Ronelle it's a case of playing - trying out the tools and adjustements and just seeing what happens :>) I'm using a very old vesion of photoshop.

I look forward to seeing the work from Hawaii

Lindsay said...

Vivien,I'malways amazed at what you accomplish with PS. My hats off to you. This one is really beautiful. This light is mysterious and I can't wait to see your oil and or watercolor treatment.

vivien said...

thanks Lindsay :>)

Anonymous said...

I think this will be a stunning painting... As one who works with digital media, I always thought that photoshop would be a great tool for trying out color schemes and doing different value studies -- not as something to copy onto the canvas, but more as a feeling or goal to work toward.

vivien said...

thank you :>)

it is a really useful tool and yes, that's exactly how I'm using it - to bounce off, not to copy exactly as you say.