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Monday, October 25, 2010

Losing Edges

"Red on Red"
Original Oil 6x6"
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This is another workshop demo. Lost edges add a lot of interest to a painting by engaging the viewer's imagination to "fill in the blanks", allowing them to participate actively rather than simply observing.

There are several ways to lose edges but one effective way is by bringing values or colours close together where edges meet. A great way to practice this is by painting objects on a like colored cloth. This is one example, but you could try a multitude of variations, one of my students did a great painting of a glass jar of milk on a white cloth.

Use your creativity and give it a try, it's a lot of fun!

9 comments:

  1. This is beautiful. And thanks for sharing your exercise on edges.

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  2. Great suggestion, Liz. And I love white on white - eggs, garlic, white onion, in a white bowl, on a white cloth. Forces you to see the variety of color in addition to a variety of edges.

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  3. Very nice demo. Also gives you subtle nuances in the color by using predominantly one color. A great way to see subtle color shifts and values.

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  4. Right you are girls... being able to perceive subtle shifts in value and color is exactly what the focus is on at my DP workshops. It's tricky business and this is a great exercise to get the eye looking for them.

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  5. This is fabulous, Liz. Love the shadows and subtle edges of the saucer.

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  6. Wow! I love the intensity of this one! You are so right-on about lost edges. It engages the viewer in the conversation with the painting. Thanks for the exercise ideas.

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  7. Thanks so much for sharing the exercise for edges. What a great idea. Also I like that you used such an intense hue for your edge work!

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  8. Great work on this site, really like this little still life. Red is such a strong color to control, but you did it. Cheers Audrey (from the other end of Canada1)

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