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Santa Barbara Reservoir, 8×10" oil on canvas

Aerial perspective is the term given to the effect created when objects are viewed through the atmosphere.  Dust, smoke, or moisture particulates suspended in the atmosphere viel what we see in the distance.  Generally hills or whatever else we are viewing through the layer of atmosphere become lighter in tonal value, and cooler in temperature.

In the Canadian Rockies, this effect is virtually unnoticeable on a very clear day and at a high altitude due to thin atmosphere and virtually no particulates, whereas in coastal locations there is often mist, fog, etc., that creates cooler and lighter distant vistas.

Of course, this changes again when you are in an area where dust particulates gather in the air with moisture droplets.  The dust hanging in the air (or whatever other pollutant may be present) creates a warmer distant color than if there was just moisture present.  Are you confused yet?  There is an elegant solution:  paint what you see.

I find the tendency is to  paint the distant hills darker and warmer than they actually are.  Be aware of this tendency and look again.  Harder.  Believe your eyes – it’s only your mind that plays tricks.

Happy painting all,

Gaye

This Tree Painting is View from Carpinteria

On this trip, I’m painting a LOT of trees. Trees are good subjects when you’re trying to find the “bones”. They are such complex forms that they need to be simplified – Few of us have all day to paint, unfortunately. Yet their basic structure has to hold together. It’s important to study the Gestalt of your subject. If the structure (sketch) is wrong, the painting on top of it will not work well. Kind of like putting siding on a house that is framed out of square – the result just isn’t very appealing.

Notice the Shape of the Tree

John Carlson (Carlson’s Guide to Landscape Painting) talked a lot about the nature of trees. He mentioned how slow-growing trees, such as oaks, have more crooks and curls. On the other hand, faster growing trees, like the Eucalyptus tree above, are taller. They have straighter limbs. Of course, no tree ever grows straight up and down. I am learning all of this for myself – tree by tree by tree. This painting is one of my small studies, only 8×10″. My painting is a meditation on trees, and this place certainly has a lot to meditate on.

Happy painting, everyone.