Series 21: TRANSLATING TEXTURES

Gradating Textures – S21L3

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Textures are clusters of tiny shapes spread over a plane or form. Each of these tiny shapes contains its own light/shadow relationship. We see these translated according to their size and how close we are to them.

 This lesson is S21L3 Gradating Textures the TRANSLATING TEXTURES series.  Using as her subject a field of yellow wildflowers, Dianne shows how to use value contrasts to express gradations of textures in distance. Finding color patterns first, she abstracts the whole scene focusing on gradation of contrasts and of intensities, showing how we can create a blockin that will enable a realistic rendition of these textures.

Textures are clusters of small shapes covering a form or plane.  In order to translate texture, we must first define these.  To do this we set the directional patterns using gradations and value contrasts while paying attention to modulating color.

Patterns of textures are found either on planes moving in space or on forms.  If on planes, we pay attention to the gradation of texture created by distance. If on forms, we honor the value gradation from center light into shadow.  This series addresses these two major behaviors of texture.   [hr]

This series of tutorials is presented in two pairs.  Lessons 1 & 3 are studies, each showing how to use a principle to resolve an issue.  Lessons 2 & 4 each take the previous study to a conclusion, showing how to use those same principles to bring convert the study into a painting.

With every brushstroke we make, we are composing.  Just as with any creation, we begin with a structure, then as the art work begins we place shapes and colors according the concept with which we are working.  But the time comes when we move to a different level of thinking and decision-making–that moment when our intention becomes to bring clarity and resolution to the work.

Among Dianne’s passions about painting and teaching painting is how composing principles can expand creative freedom if the artist transcends the “rule” idea and instead, transforms the principle into a tool that opens creative doors.

Read Dianne’s Compose blog posts HERE.  Visit Dianne’s website and example her work HERE.  And visit her YouTube Channel with dozens of Quick Tips HERE.