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More Illusions of Detail - Painting the Illusion of Depth

Stuart Davies・37 minutes read

The artist emphasizes experimental use of light and shade, utilizing specific colors and techniques to create texture in landscape paintings, while also sharing personal anecdotes on his journey as a painter. He stresses the significance of practice, advice on correcting mistakes, and the need for contrast and liveliness in brushstrokes to create engaging landscapes.

Insights

  • Experimenting with light and shade is crucial in elevating ordinary subjects in painting, using techniques like varied textures with runny paint and strategic color choices like SAP green and red ochre for landscapes.
  • The artist stresses the value of practice, perseverance, and embracing mistakes in painting, advocating for lively brushstrokes, avoiding mud, and focusing on creating depth through techniques like negative shapes, contrast, and detailed foregrounds.

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Recent questions

  • How does the painter create texture in landscapes?

    By using SAP green and red ochre.

  • What advice does the artist give for correcting mistakes in painting?

    Use palette knives to correct errors caused by thick paint.

  • How does the artist suggest creating dreamy cloud effects?

    By using a wallpaper pasting brush.

  • What is the significance of contrast in painting according to the artist?

    It is important for creating a backlit effect on trees.

  • How does the artist suggest maintaining lively brushstrokes in paintings?

    By avoiding mud and adopting a free and random approach.

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Summary

00:00

Mastering Light and Texture in Painting

  • The painter emphasizes experimenting with light and shade to elevate ordinary subjects.
  • Using runny paint initially allows for varied textures in the artwork.
  • The painter uses SAP green and red ochre for the landscape, aiming for texture.
  • The oil used is Kryder's ight, containing a secretive for quick drying.
  • Lefranc and bourgeois paints are preferred for their color and consistency.
  • Plywood from a hardware store, coated with three layers of gesso, is the painter's choice.
  • Brushes from hardware stores and Jackson's art supplies, particularly the black hog brush, are recommended.
  • The sky is painted with royal blue at the bottom and phthalo blue at the top for perspective.
  • A wallpaper pasting brush is used for quick, dreamy cloud effects.
  • Detailing trees involves creating an impression of detail rather than actual intricate work.

19:47

Artist's Journey: From College to Success

  • The artist recalls his college days where he had to manage with a limited grant, needing to purchase all painting supplies himself.
  • To supplement his income, he would paint landscapes featuring affluent-looking houses and strategically position himself where the homeowners would pass by.
  • By painting these scenes, he managed to sell eight paintings for around 20 pounds each, a significant sum in those days.
  • The artist advises not to fear mistakes in painting, suggesting the use of palette knives to correct errors caused by thick paint.
  • He demonstrates scraping off excess paint to create a backlit effect on trees, emphasizing the importance of contrast in painting.
  • The artist shares a college experience where he learned to draw negative shapes between objects, enhancing drawing skills through practice and perseverance.
  • Transitioning to a job in a design studio, he recounts a challenging project involving intricate details like Edwardian clothing, a punt, a tree with a squirrel, all without references.
  • The artist stresses the importance of practice in honing artistic skills, recalling how his college training helped him tackle complex design projects successfully.
  • He continues painting trees in a loose, impressionistic style, using light green and lemon yellow to create depth and contrast.
  • The artist highlights the significance of keeping brushstrokes lively and avoiding mud in paintings, encouraging a free and random approach to painting landscapes.

41:18

Stuart Davis: Prices Stable, Free Painting Next Year

  • Prices for Stuart Davis artist's work will remain the same this year at 500 pounds for 5 days.
  • Next year, prices will increase slightly due to rising costs of materials, but participants will receive a free painting by the artist.
  • The free painting will likely be 60 by 80 centimeters, focusing on landscapes without man-made objects.
  • The foreground of a painting should be done in 15 to 20 hours, ensuring the texture and depth are well-developed.
  • Techniques like adding distant bushes and a blue sheen to grass help create depth and guide the viewer's eye through the painting.
  • The artist emphasizes the importance of skies in paintings, using colors like Payne's gray and red ochre to create depth and movement.
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