Friday, 1 August 2008

Too Much Colour?


The Gate (work in progress)

Because of a plumbing problem at home, I had little time to spend at the Club yesterday, but what time there was allowed me to reconsider this little picture I'd started last time I was there. In the intervening days I'd decided I didn't like it and intended to paint over it. Now that I've got it home again, I'm not so sure. I think I'll give it a little more work and see how it pans out. I suspect that what's troubling me, tonal painter that I am, is the full colour palette. Maybe it's a bit too Albert Irvin for my liking. Much as I like Albert Irvin, I don't think he's really me, or more exactly, that I'll ever really be him.

I'll start by toning down the magenta sky, I think (it's a lot stronger than the photograph suggest).

But I won't be able to start on it again today. I heard by letter that my picture in the People Show sold at the Gala evening last night, and as the show opens to the public today, I'm off to have a look at it with The Architect, who also has a picture in the show.

Later, we're meeting up with his wife, Mrs Sums, who wants me to consider a commission, so she's going to show me what it is she's interested in.

5 comments:

ian gordon said...

I'm not sure the "tonal painter" tag fits in quite the same way it did with your posts of last year. I think "full blown colourist" is perhaps more apt. (You do have a great sense of colour).

jafabrit said...

I LOVE all the colours but the blue is dominating and no matter how hard I try not to my eye goes to that section first and keeps bouncing back.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the sale, Harry. May many more commissions follow in its wake.

harry bell said...

Ian - I guess I'm still more confident in my sense of tonality, less so in colour sense. But I feel like I'm getting there.

JafaBrit - It needs work, of course, but it's worth remembering that the blue section is the glass curtain wall of The Gate, the subject (and focal point) of the painting.

Dr Pam - Thanks. I'm currently waiting for three cheques. "Waiting" being the operative word!

Anna said...

It's so enjoyable watching your pictures evolve. Apart from a love of robust colour, I can't tie you in with Irvin at all. Glad you have had sales - now you can buy bread, cheese and wine and come down from the garret.