Tuesday 11 March 2008

COMPLETED OIL OF HAINFORD CHURCH RUIN



You may remember I posted some images of the process of this piece of work some weeks back and at long last have finished it using my Michael Harding oil paints. Bit concerned at seeing it on the screen that the line on the shadow side of the tower should go down towards the horizon line, but I think its because its a ruin and all lopsided. .. but it does distract my perspective eye. Do you think I ought to alter it before delivering it for the show or doesnt it bother you???

Decided to call it VISITING THE CHURCH TOWER - RUIN OUTSIDE HAINFORD NORFOLK because i added those shadows in the front to create a story and to give interest to the foreground.

9 comments:

Anita Davies said...

Joan, this really is quite special. I love the apricot and limes running throughout and against that blue sky. There is enough detail to provide character and enough undone for me to imagine my way through.
Very nice indeed!

Robyn Sinclair said...

I've already said how much I admire this painting, Joan. Wonderful to see it finished.

I didn't understand your perspective problem at first (too busy admiring your foliage) but now I do see it. Since you can change it, I'd be inclined to because you are bound to be irritated by it when you see your beautiful painting on show.

Margaret Ann said...

Beautiful Joan...A place for losing one's self! :)

Robert A Vollrath said...

I had a art teacher that told me to paint what I know and not what I saw.

As it is a ruin, the line doesn't bother me at all but you are the artist and the painting first speaks to you.

I believe a painting should always be what the artist wants it to be.

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Thank you so much all of you for your response and for being so loyal to my blog and art efforts.
Glad you liked it Anita - I think its one of my best efforts of late. I took your advice Robyn and it only took a few minutes to change the angle and Im much happier. While I was at it though I lightened some of the ivy foliage in the front of the tower in the weak winter sunlight and then HAD TO MAKE MYSELF STOP AND PUT IT AWAY TO DRY.

I'm surprised Robert that a teacher said it this way round. I always say forget what you think you know and only draw what you see. Thanks again everyone.

Robert A Vollrath said...

The teacher had it wrong and I hoped you would reject the thought on face value.

I paint what I know in my heart and never what I think I know.

You knew in your heart the painting was wrong but I wasn't the one to tell you that. Only the artist can find the truth in their work.

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Thanks Robert. My problem now is to put my heart into the Grimston church font as I fell in love with the carved font cover every time Ive visited the church and only hope I can represent it well enough. The background colours are my favourite as well, so hopefully it will eventually turn out to my satisfaction but I think it might be the hardest painting of the three oils I am creating for the Grimston show.... but I'll put my heart into it and wait and see the result.

Margaret McCarthy Hunt said...

What a lovely painting...

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Thanks Maggie for checking into my blog and making such a lovely comment. Could not believe the work in your quilt blogs which made it all the more pleasing to be praised by someone with such expertise. I'll certainly pop in from time to time to see your wonderful designs.