“There are a number of very simple yet amazingly effective ways in which you can create effective landscapes in miniature inside your studio that will enable you to sketch and paint as if you were perched on that cliff. What’s more, if you’d like the view to offer more or less of the valley, you can shift the mountains around a bit. It’s easy, and the materials are probably beside you right now”
Tony Smibert from Chapter 11: Idea Starters, in Painting Landscapes from you Imagination
This has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding exercises so far, and as Tony writes it was remarkably easy. It began by taking a sheet of white paper and crumpling it to create an imagined mountainous terrain complete with soaring peaks and distant valleys, which became further defined with washes of color.
Once I was happy with my miniature landscape it became time for some creative fun. First I placed it in front of a landscape I painted for one of the earlier exercises in Tony’s book,
which you may remember in a post entitled imbued with possibilities.
Then I tried it against one of the dark ceramic tiles I often use as a
backdrop to some of my photos in the studio.
Finally, I took the landscape outside as Tony suggests and photographed it against today’s beautiful blue sky, “shifting the mountains around a bit” to create different views.
It’s been a great day as you can see. I very much hope yours has been too.
Worldwatercolormonth Day 21
This looks like it could be so much fun. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Cee. It really was 🙂
LikeLike
What an interesting idea! I might have to try this out sometime. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks Louise. I hope you do 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous, I just love this Andrew!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Laura
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Laura. It was fun to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gotta love it! Turning a crumpled mess into a work of art. An artist truly sees the world a little differently.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks Kevin.
LikeLike
I absolutely love this – clearly great fun but mostly SO effective!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Osyth. Great fun indeed 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting and creative concept… your photos turned out great! Actually I can imagine lots of variations where this sort of thing could be used to make creative scenery or abstract art/photography. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Laura. I agree, so many interesting ideas come to mind.
LikeLike
I loved every image! I can’t wait to get to this exercise! It really does look like you have a blast, and you’ve created some really wonderful images, and painted mountains.
I just might skip ahead and try this early! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are no rules so just go and skip ahead 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person