Sunsets don't make much of an appearance on this blog. I like sunsets a lot, and on my vacations I usually take a picture of each and every one. But I don't paint them. Way back when I took "Watercolor for Beginners" the instructor, who was a well respected portrait painter, said "Don't paint sunsets - they're trite and cliched". He should know, right? My second class was with a woman who told me not to paint boats - they were hard to draw and always looked amateurish. She should know, right? I'm no longer so sure about these absolutes pronounced by experts. Are sunsets really trite, or did he just have a hard time painting a credible one? Are boats hard to draw, or did she just have a difficult time with water reflections? Isn't it all subjective, and really shouldn't we get to paint what we like?
So when "
Just add water, silly" chose sunsets as the theme for this month, I decided to make up my own mind about sunsets. I had a lot of pictures to choose from - this is Puerto Vallarta. I had fun doing this - choosing the colors, blending them. It made for an enjoyable afternoon and that's what it's all about, isn't it.
Watercolor paint in the HandBook sketchbook.
7 comments:
What's not to love about the beauty of a sunset and this is no exception. Your vivid colors are beautiful. Trite or not, I never tire of looking at them. Happy PPF
Good for you - your sunset was very successful - not trite to me.
It's always good to try something different, your sunset is lovely
You know how they say there are no small parts, only small actors? true in art, too: there are no cliches, only painters who can't see! and I would not take advice on seascapes and landscapes from a PORTRAIT painter!
You came out just right on this: paint what you want, the heck with what other people say. And you did a nice job,too.
Critics have opinions not reins on your creativity. Do what you love it's the process not the end score that matters with art anyway.
Your post about your past painting teachers brings up a subject close to my heart, since I am a watercolor teacher.
I try never to tell my students what to paint or not paint. My advice is to paint a subject that you like.
Your sunset is well painted. I like the technique you used in the sky for the pinks and reds. Please visit my blog sometime www.barbararoth.blogspot.com
I LOVE sunsets!!! your's looks great!
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