Tuesday, September 24, 2013

"Venetian Light", 12x16, oil on masonite, Venice study, gondolier, Venice, Italy, canals



"Venetian Light", 12x16, oil on masonite

This was a quick study of a complex scene. I wanted to simplify the scene so that the light was the dominant centerpiece of the scene, rather than getting bogged down in a lot of details. I also experimented with  some earth colors like raw sienna and terra rosa, and found it advantageous to have earth colors on the palette when painting the ochres of Venice.Considering it only took a couple hours, I wasn't disappointed with it, since I accomplished what I had set out to do.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

"Amalfi Coast Evening", 14x11, oil on linen, Amalfi, Ravello, Italian riviera, Italy, nocturnes

"Amalfi Coast Evening", 14x11, oil on linen

Tourists are walking home from a late afternoon or early evening of shopping for treasures.... The air is fragrant with jasmine and other seductive scents which waft through the air- purloined from shops laden with delicacies and exotica that tickle all the senses. And as the shop -weary travelers legs beg for mercy, the glittering lights of the merchants still beacon in the early evening light to seduce and betray the limbs and pocketbooks of the most vulnerable. To shop some more? Or call it a day in this gorgeous ancient town overlooking the Amalfi Coast and the Gulf of Salerno.

What would you do?

This painting was a challenge for me. I had never painted a nocturne (Night scene) before and  there are many considerations to think about which differ from painting a daytime scene. The normal rules tend to reverse- the shadows becomes warmer from the influences of electric lighting and the light temperature of the air becomes cooler in the absence of the sun.

The architecture of the ancient arch was especially challenging, and I'll probably go back into the painting and add some glazes when it is dry.


Overall, I was happy with this first nocturne and will probably attempt some more.