Thursday 13 February 2014

Ophelia





The two snow scenes here are little works from my imagination, based on Edgewick Farm, in order to try out some new paper. I love using Saunders Waterford but the fact is, it's simply too good and too expensive for experimenting and practising on.
This is Bockingford 140lb ROUGH. I've found it has it's limitations concerning durability and glazing (just my opinion), but I'm pleased to find a paper which I can mess around on without worrying too much about cost.
The third picture is titled "Ophelia". She has been in my mind, germinating like a seed for years, waiting for the right moment and the right style.
Style is a phenomenon I ponder constantly. Almost without exception, we, as artists of various genres and levels of ability, use basically the same things. We have at our disposal brushes, fingers, rollers, scrapers, knives, pens and pencils. We have paper, canvas, wood and walls, We have water or oil suspended colour, wax, chalk and graphite. This is a long list, but though these items are available to all, most of us simply use brushes to apply viscous colour to a flat surface. In terms of equipment, our similarities far outnumber our differences.
So what is it that makes every artist's work unique? How can it be that we can often tell who painted a picture just by looking at it and long before we examine that little scribble in the bottom corner? Any number of artists could be given identical paints, paper and brushes in order to execute an identical subject, yet each finished picture would be different, sometimes to a huge degree.
Our ability to do this, to express our individuality, to make unique statements, is a privilege to be treasured, even more so when this ability is celebrated. In some parts of the world you can be shot for it.
Ophelia has now gained her individuality. After such a long time thinking of this beautiful, romantic, tragic figure, I am so pleased to have realised her in paint. I think she will definitely appear again from time to time, to provide respite from my attempts to portray the real world, and to allow me to explore that subtle, mysterious region of Style.

16 comments:

  1. Beautiful, Kev. I love the theme and colours.

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    1. Thank you Linda. I did venture outside my usual palette for these, so I'm glad you love the colours.

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  2. Great snow paintings Kev,
    I like the figures in your paintings, especially the man with his dog in the middle painting,looks so natural.

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    1. Thanks Pat, especially for your comment about the figures. It can be a tense time putting them in with watercolour, it's difficult to remove them if they go wrong, as you probably know. It's just a case of planning and then taking a leap!!

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  3. So, dear Kev, that was a great talk about style and then you throw me with the introduction of Ophelia. Totally different. All three are excellent so I have to ask...which one do you like best?

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    1. Ha ha ha. Good question!! I'm aware that there are inconsistencies in this post, I think that it's because my own style is still developing. Maybe it's because I wish to embrace more than one style. It's very generous of you to say that all three are excellent, thank you Julie. If I'm pushed, Ophelia is my favourite but then, she's new....... and I'm fickle.
      I enjoy questions. Thanks again Julie!!!

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  4. I just found your blog by chance and find your work delightful! Your Ophelia painting is incredible, beautiful bursts of color. I enjoy your landscapes as well!

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    1. Hello Celia!! I am so pleased you dropped by, it's great to welcome someone new!! I'm also very glad you like "Ophelia" as it's a bit of a departure for me, so thank you for your lovely comment which is very encouraging!!

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  5. All very nice paintings Kev. My favourite is the second one down. All the best mate.
    Vic.

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    1. Thanks Vic. That picture has a new home now. Take care mate.

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  6. All of these are really lovely! And each one is interesting for a different reason. The top one has the feeling of interrupted peace. There is the quiet of the walk at sunrise and then the flock of birds overhead. I like that! The one of the snow is just peaceful and gorgeous...the snowy look came out perfectly. And the one of "Ophelia" has mystery, energy, and an aura of magic to it. Ophelia may be a tragic figure, but I don't get that feeling from this. I love the rich colors too. Keep up the wonderful work!

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    1. Wow!! Thanks so much for this wonderful feedback Joan!! It's great to read what these pictures are saying to you. I know "Ophelia" is not like my usual work, so it's lovely to have it recieved in this way. Again, thank you for your kind words!!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a nice comment artisoo.

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  8. Oh wow, you have been so busy and I didn't noted that as I was so busy too. It's lovely to look at your beautyful artwork and get some distance to my selfish and annoying everyday-life thoughts. I love the snow scenery in the middle of your post most. (I assume it always depends on moods and daily form what kind of art I love most ) I love the calming colors of the sky and the harmonic proportions in that picture and I wish I could spend some days on my own in that scenery. I love Ophelia too how she seems to welcome spring. Great, great work!

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    1. Thank you very much Stephanie, sorry life is so busy for you, we all need to relax more!!!

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