Sunday, November 27, 2011

Apple or Pumpkin?

6"x6" acrylic on masonite

One of the toughest questions of the season... Would you like apple pie or pumpkin pie? It's always so hard to choose. I usually end up having both!

I learned a lot from this painting. The colors I used where the 3 primaries... Ultramarine Blue, Alizarin Crimson and Yellow Ochre. I also used Raw Umber, Cadmium Red Light, Cadmium Yellow Light, Cerulean Blue and Titanium White. What I did my best to do was not paint with any white until the very last touches. I achieved this by not using white with any of my colors in this painting except for a little bit added to the stem of the pumpkin, and of course the highlights.

I learned a lot about color from a fellow acrylic painter of whom I have a lot of respect for, Roger Bansemer. Here are some links to youtube video's by Roger that explain concepts on color. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6148073469862105300
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3221736444129991924

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful bold coloring and lovely shine on the apple. I would do as you...take both ,lol!

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  2. Bello, ha un'intonazione di chiaroscuri molto intensa e particolare. Ciao Graziano

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  3. This is a gorgeous painting. I like the richness and pureness of the colors, is that because there was no white mixed in? Thank you for sharing your secret! Of course, the answer to the question is BOTH! apple and pumpkin! with ice cream!

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  4. Thank you Katherine! I appreciate that.

    To answer your question... This is what I have been experimenting with and learning from my acrylic paintings. Yes, the colors are rich because white was not added. White tends to make colors look chalky and desaturated. I have been finding it best to mix color with color and avoid white if possible. I should also note that some colors that come from the tube already have white mixed in and the white makes them more opaque. In some instances white is needed to achieve a color like a skin tone or a bright blue sky. In general, I just try not to make a habit of using it if its not necessary.

    I love that you added ice cream to the pie! Of course I cant have apple pie without ice cream! LOL

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  5. Brad, you've been painting up a storm and this is terrific! I love the color info and the absence of white til the end. Now to check out the link...thanks

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  6. Hi Brad, Thanks so much for stopping by my blog:) Very happy to find you in blogland! Great piece. You should check out Alvin Richard's work since you are working in acrylic. Great work and can't wait to see more:)

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  7. Thank you Carrie! and thanks for the info on Alvin Richard's. I will check out his work!

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  8. We compromised this year with pumpkin cheesecake.
    Beautiful work!

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  9. Thank you Liz! Pumpkin cheesecake sounds good too!

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  10. AMAZING painting..it almost looks like a photo!! The apple is outstanding..the transition of color is perfectly done.

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  11. Amazingly wonderful. Colors are gorgeous and make me want both apple and pumpkin pie!

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  12. Hey Brad! Wow - that pumkin (especially) is so nicely painted! The ripples and surface texture going on there is SO true to life. Great job. Not easy. And the apple is pretty rockin' too ; )

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  13. Thank you! I really appreciate the comments!

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  14. Una pintura hiperrealista. La manzana es tan tridimensional que casi puede agarrarse. Un trabajo excelente, Brad, y me gusta la calidez y el intimismo que transmite.
    En cuanto a las tartas, creo que en España la de calabaza no es tan conocida como la de manzana. Aquí, en estas fechas, abundan las castañas y sus múltiples preparaciones. No estaría mal una receta de tu tarta de calabaza, tengo tres muy hermosas esperando ser cocinadas....

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  15. The colors certainly did come out magnificently rich, Brad! There seems to be new discoveries around every corner. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

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  16. Thank you Margarita and Dean! Margarita, I think the nuts would be great in the pie! Enjoy!

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