Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Seascape progress


Here is the seascape after another days work. I hope to finish it tomorrow. This was again shot in the failing last minutes of light. Its not very accurate, but I will try to get a better shot after I work on it tomorrow. I am hoping that will be last day and bring it to completion. That will make this about a week (7 days) work. That seems about right to me for a project on this scale.
I worked on mostly the rocks today. I have got good color temperatures going in there but it is hard to see in this photo so you will just have to believe me.

I have received a couple of provocative e-mail questions about realism and photo realism vs. classical realism and impressionism. I thought I would spin out an essay on that in a few days. I also want to return to the subject of mathematical design systems as there are a number of more ideas I want to present. I started with the most philosophical systems and I am progressing towards increasingly geometric means of design.

I am going to be in a paint out event in Kennebunkport this week, At least on the days it doesn't rain. It isn't a wet paint sale per se, I am not fond of those. Maine Art gallery has invited a group of us to come up there and paint and do a group show. I will probably paint on the rocks along the ocean front which is particularly good there.

17 comments:

Ramon said...

Looking good Stape! Looking forward to the accurate photos of the painting and the essay as well. Personally classical realism doesn't mean much to me, since there's nothing really classical about most work being done today, it's mostly straightforward naturalism. I'd love to read your thoughts on it.

-Ramon

PS. we have perfect weather and a Jean-Leon Gerome show coming up, California's sounding pretty good right now huh?

mariandioguardi.com said...

I think you have it going in the right direction there.

If I was going to be around this weekend, I'd make it to Kennebunk and take Willek with me. But I am leaving for Italy today. Visiting friends, Genova, Padova, Venezia and surrounds. I'll be back in a couple of weeks and looking forward to catching up with the blog. Happy painting everyone!

billspaintingmn said...

Stape, your painting is beautiful.
Forget all the fancy desciptions,
this is down right awesome.
When I click on the image I can see it in detail.
I may never see it in person, however you have shown me that you know it.
I come away feeling like I've been to the beach.

barbara b. land of boz said...

I feel like I'm back in class. Your seascape is showing all the
signs of being a keeper...I feel
the strength of your wave.

Had a busy week-end, Interesting
blog over the last few days.
It seems like we are faced with a
need to defend History from time to
time. And that very Right to do so
makes me proud to be a Native American Indian living here in my homeland, America.
So Keep on Keepin On Stapleton for
I still have a thirst for Knowledge.

Eugenia Wadsworth Martin said...

Finally. I have caught up on you blog, I just want to say thank you for your time on your blog it has been more informative than you know. Eugenia

willek said...

I just made your painting one step darker in variations and it really becomes terrific. I will email you the change. But, according to your own teachings at winter camp, don't you need something to carry the eye up that left side? In seascapes, there are no twigs or shrubs. You have rejected the submerged rock... All you have left is an eider duck or two.

jeff said...

Stap that looks great! Well done sir.

Susan Renee Lammers said...

Fabulous! I am learning alot just watching your progress! Almost finished "Lead the Field"! amazing!

Stapleton Kearns said...

ramon;
There you are!
I don't think of myself as a classical realist. I am not sure I am a naturalist either. I am the point where rock and roll and traditional oil painting meet.
.................Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Marian:
Can I go with you. Venice is the best place I have ever painted. Have a great trip!
...............Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

bill:
Thank you.
...............Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

barbara:
Thanks, here I am again grinding away.
..............Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Eugenia:
Thanks, have you read the whole thing!? That takes some patience and a lot of time.
...........Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Willek;
It looked good but too dark. Photographing paintings is really variable for me. I need to get better at tuning them.
No submerged rocks and certtainly no stinking eiders. Or adders..........Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Jeff:
Thank you. I have to get the thing done!
..........Stape

Stapleton Kearns said...

Renee:
I would love it if you would write in the comments what you thought of "lead the Field" I think its a life changer.Ought to be required in high school or college.
..............Stape

Plein Air Gal said...

Looking good - can't wait to see the more accurate photo because this looks great to me!
I'm personally thrilled that you didn't put us viewers down in the hole ... even though we're definitely lower now and the rocks and wave are higher, I still feel as if I'm safely seated on a rock and can enjoy the view, although I might get splashed by the next wave that rolls in.
I can hear the surf!