Painting Based Upon Photography
Title: Lakefront Perspective
Size: 30.48 cm x 30.48 cm
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Date of Completion: October 2020
Exhibition Text
Lakefront Perspective is an oil on canvas painting and was created to show the beauty in perspective, especially in the natural world. Lakefront Perspective takes inspiration from Claude Oscar Monet's Red Boats, Argenteuil and his use of brush work when working with oil paints. He created vibrant pieces of harmony using oil paints by emphasizing light and weather. I created contrast among this piece by using vibrant and contrasting hues similar to what Monet used.
Process
Artist Inspiration
Carr Clifton
Carr Clifton won many awards over the span of his photography career. He spent more than thirty-five years exploring endangered landscapes. He has travelled to many parts of his world and is an accomplished wilderness guide which allows him to explore wild regions where there are no architectural structures. He graduated from Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, Colorado with a degree in Commercial Photography.
Carr Clifton won many awards over the span of his photography career. He spent more than thirty-five years exploring endangered landscapes. He has travelled to many parts of his world and is an accomplished wilderness guide which allows him to explore wild regions where there are no architectural structures. He graduated from Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, Colorado with a degree in Commercial Photography.
Claude Monet
Claude Monet was a French Impressionist who used many different mediums and materials to create his pieces. Monet was an impressionist which meant he would often depict landscapes of nature during differing days, seasons, weather conditions, and many other influences in nature. He would often draw many of the same scenes but with these different aspects.
Claude Monet was a French Impressionist who used many different mediums and materials to create his pieces. Monet was an impressionist which meant he would often depict landscapes of nature during differing days, seasons, weather conditions, and many other influences in nature. He would often draw many of the same scenes but with these different aspects.
Monet painted the town of Argenteuil multiple times throughout the years and created a sense of harmony and beauty due to the hues in the sky, land, and water but often left out what was actually in the area. In Red Boats, Monet left out the pollution in the water and chose what subjects and elements he wanted to be present within his painting. The composition of this painting consists of boats and their reflections upon the water. The vertical masts create structure in the piece because it fills up space within the sky and creates movement among the viewer's eye. He uses different hues of blues, oranges, red, and greens which create a vibrant landscape due to the contrasting colors of the boats, sky, water, and land. The sky consists of blue and purple hues which reflects upon in the water to create depth. Depth is also created by the layering of his broken brushstrokes and adding colors upon colors to create certain areas. The sky is painted with colors that merge with one another while the water has a choppy style of brushstrokes with colors being placed upon one another, but not mixing. The sky, starting from the horizon, has light hues of blue and become darker as it expands to the edges of the canvas.
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I was inspired by Red Boats, Argenteuil because of the brushstrokes and the layering of those brushstrokes. It creates depth as well as beauty in the piece. I plan to use this inspiration to influence my piece by using my landscape photo and creating it into a painting using Impressionist techniques. I plan to use oil paints on canvas to create this which is what Monet used in many of his pieces as well as my inspiration piece I will also use short, loose brushstrokes, as Monet and other Impressionists did, as well as use vibrant and intense colors to create my piece. In my original piece, the hues within the sky are made up of purple hues rather than blue so I plan to create the sky using more blue tones to become more similar to my inspiration piece. I have decided I will paint the cars in the center of my photograph red like Monet's red boat in the center of the piece so that it can create contrast between the blues and greens I will incorporate into my final piece.
Planning Sketches
This sketch includes my original piece and the final enhanced portion I decided upon. I decided upon the upper right side because in this area, there was water reflections. I wanted to try recreating reflections in water like Monet which is another reason I picked this area. Enhancing any other part would delete elements which I wanted to keep. For example, zooming into any part of the left would leave out the trees and the r4eflections in the water. The fence within the enhanced picture also is similar to the vertical masts of my inspiration piece as they both create structure by drawing the viewers eyes upwards. |
In this sketch, I included information I had discovered while researching water reflections and reflections within paintings. Water reflections are often softer than the subject being reflected. They are soft and hazy while the subject above water has a definite shape. Claude Monet used sketchy, choppy brushstrokes within the water to create the reflection effect. I also discuss in this sketch how I plan to use the empty area in the sky. I will create a fading effect of colors within the empty area and use the brushstrokes to show movement within the sky. |
Within this sketch, I discuss how I physically plan to recreate my picture onto the canvas board. I plan to print out a 12 cm x 12 cm photograph of what I will be recreating which will allow me to get the proportions in the painting as close as possible to the real photograph. I plan to create a small grid which will further allow the proportions to one another to be correct as well as in the right area of the canvas. |
Experimentation, Technique, and Process
In this process page, I show my color palette and which colors were used for the parts of my final piece. I made many different hues using using a single color by adding different ratios of that color to white to create lighter and darker hues. This is similar to what Monet did because he made many different hues to create contrast between objects in his piece by having distinct brushstrokes of similar but not identical colors.
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I decided to show what typed of brushstrokes I used in my piece and where these brushstrokes were used. Brushstrokes create texture and depth because it can make a two dimensional piece look three dimensional with the right brushstrokes and create contrast in texture between objects such as the tree trunk and sky. I used horizontal brushstrokes to paint the sky because while using vertical lines in the tree trunk to create contrast between the two and not make these elements look as if they bled into each other. I used curved brushstrokes for the reflection to create a hazy, reflective type effect and make the piece look more realistic.
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Experimentation 1
This was my first time using oil paints so I decided to experiment with it before using it on my final piece. I drew out the basic form of a tree above water because I wanted to practice using the oil paints as well as practice making reflections in the water. I first started out with filling out the trunk of the tree with vertical strokes rather than vertical o create movement. I used variations of brown hues for the bark. I did the brown first because in my picture, there are branches visible through the leaves. I also decided to do this first because the leaves are visible, but don't look as if the branches are layered over the leaves. I used slightly lighter brown hues in the reflection of the tree as to make it seem reflective and not the exact same as the tree above water.
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I then decided to use hues of green to create the leaves by layering it over the branches which will allow some branches to be seen but not as if the branches are over the leaves. I used short brushstrokes on the leaves and used a variety of dark and light greens to create the illusion of leaves in shadows and in light. In the reflection of the leaves, I used longer, looser brushstrokes because I wanted the leaves to have a blurred quality caused by the water.
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Next, I painted the sky with variations of blue hues. I used lighter tones along the horizon and darker tones as the sky expanded upwards towards the top of the paper. In the reflection of the sky, I used lighter hues of blue while in the actual sky, I used darker blues. I let the colors of the sky in the reflection blend together more to create a hazy effect that would be seen in water. The sky's brushstrokes were clear and distinct to show contrast between the sky in reality and the sky within the reflection.
I am satisfied with how this final sketch painting turned out because it was my first time experimenting with oil paints. I would prefer that less white would be showing but I can improve that in my next practice by possibly making the sky first before anything. |
Experimentation 2
This time, I decided that I would paint the sky first because then I could layer the tree's leaves and trunk over the blue without the blue overlapping elements of the tree. I wanted the blue sky to be visible between the leaves and trunks which was another reason I decided to do it first. I used darker blues in the sky and light blue in the reflection of the sky and allowed the colors to mix more in the reflection of the sky. I made sure to keep clean, loose brushstroke in the actual sky in contrast to the haziness of the reflection.
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The next thing I painted was the tree trunk and branches using different hues of brown to create texture within the bark and shadows as well as highlights created by the sun. I decided to paint the tree trunk after the sky but before the trees because I wanted the branches to be somewhat visible through the leaves but as if it was above the leaves and also so the sky didn't go over the brown. In the tree above the water, I used vertical brushstrokes to create structure and make it seem as if the trees grow upwards. I used horizontal brushstrokes in the reflection of the tree because I wanted the texture of the water to reflect the brown of the tree. water currents are usually seen as horizontal so making the brushstrokes horizontal made it look as if it was a reflection and not a copy of the real tree.
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The last element of the tree that I painted was the leaves because it goes over and covers every other thing that I had painted making it the perfect thing to paint last. I a variation of greens and used short brushstrokes on the actual tree and used longer, more rounded brushstroke sin he reflection. I think using longer brushstrokes for the reflection created a blurry, hazy effect water would have. Using short brushstrokes on the actual tree made the leaves have a distinct shape in contrast to the choppy style of the leaves in the reflection. |
After finishing the tree and its reflection upon the water, I decided to practice painting vertical lines in water reflections because my photograph had vertical lines so I wanted to practice with them. I decided to draw a fence similar to what is in my photograph. I used line lines to create the fence and short vertical brushstrokes to create the water reflection effect. I used a choppy style and made sur e there were no distinct, geometrical shapes in the reflection of water.
I am very happy with the outcome of this practice painting because although I had practiced once, I believe I really got the hang of it this time. It came out very well and I think the reflections in the water looked more realistic compared to my first practice sketch. |
Final Product
This is the photograph I will recreate onto my canvas. I decided on this part of it because it I wanted to try painting reflections as well as trees in an impressionist style. I was influenced to use this style after researching Impressionist art but more specifically, Monet's artwork. This portion showed contrast because of colors as well as objects.
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On my canvas, I first began with creating a grid of 1 inch boxes because I wanted my painting to be accurate to my photograph and proportionate to each object within it. Within the Impressionist movement, specifically Monet, would often create realistic landscape pieces which I hoped I could do as well with my piece. I decided creating a grid would be the best way to approach this. |
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After I had made the grid, I applied a grid with the same dimensions on my photograph. I recreated my photograph with basic shapes in the areas they belonged in. I didn't create a very detailed sketch as I will be painting over it so the little details won't matter as much as where things such as the trees need to be. I created the reflection with a curvy, wavy sort of line because I wanted a distorted, hazy effect.
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I decided to do the sky before everything else because as I was experimenting on layers and which colors/subjects should go first, I discovered that painting the blues first would give me the result I wanted. I wanted some blue to be seen between leaves as well as between branches which made it the ideal first color to paint. I used a variation of blue hues and made distinct, short brushstrokes as Monet did in his sky. I used blue hues rather than purple hues like in my original photograph so that the final piece would be more similar to Monet's oil painting, Red Boats, Argenteuil.
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After painting the sky, I decided to paint the brown hues in the trees. I used light brown and dark brown tones to create depth in the trunk of the tree. I was creating all of the landscape above water first because everything above the water is being painted in clear, distinct, and short brushstrokes as Monet did. I painted the tree trunks using vertical brushstrokes rather than horizontal ones because using vertical upstrokes created composition and structure in the piece by creating contrast between the background and tree. It draws the viewer's eyes upwards along the tree rather than along the horizon line.
After finishing the trunks of the tree and branches, I painted the leaves. I used many different tones of green to create contrast between each leaf and show highlights and shadows. I used short strokes going in no certain direction because leaves often face many different ways. |
After finishing each element of the tree above the water, I moved onto the cars present within my photograph. I decided upon painting them with red, orange, and yellow hues because it would create contrast between the colors in the sky, in the trees, and in the water. I wanted my piece to be similar to Monet's Red Boats, Argenteuil which is another influence on why I decided upon painting it with reds and warm colors. I used thing short brushstrokes and I also made sure s to not mix the colors but only layer them upon each other creating a fading effect between yellows and reds.
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Next, I decided that I would paint the metal barriers that separate the sidewalk and water and also paint the fence. I made thin, straight lines to create the fence and used a dark color to create the fence. For the metal barrier, I used blues to create the outer portions of it as well as highlights like in the original photo in contrast to the indents which were a much darker color. This contrast between colors added depth to the section of the painting because some parts were highlighted while others were in shadows. I used vertical brushstrokes to make up the barriers so that a person's eye would be drawn upwards or downwards in the photo focusing on the landscape above ground as well as the reflection of everything in the water.
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After finishing all aspects of the landscape above the water, I moved onto the reflections of everything. I also decided upon the first thing I would paint being the blues of the sky reflected into the water. This would allow me to build up layers within the water and make it look less flat. I used slightly light blues in the reflection compared to the blues I used to paint the sky above water because lighter colors would make it look more hazy and water-like. I used the same technique as above meaning short horizontal brushstrokes and allowed more colors to mix, not completely but somewhat, to achieve this haziness. The horizontal brushstroke creates movement within the piece by having the viewer's imagination think about how waves move in real life.
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I then painted the trees' trunk and branches using lighter browns that I did with the trees above the water. I used horizontal lines to paint them as if the water currents were only taking color of what was being reflected. I used short strokes to and blended the colors together somewhat to make it seem a little blurry. After finishing the browns of the branches and tree trunks, I decided to paint the greens of the leaves. I used light hues of green for the reflection and although the brushstrokes go in no particular direction, I used longer strokes. They were also somewhat curved to create the illusion of the water currents it was being reflected onto. Lastly, I painted the reflection of the fences onto the water by using a black mixed with a light blue color. I made choppy brushstrokes with no strokes connecting in a distinct shape to further insinuate the illusion of water. I painted light blues to highlight certain areas of the water as well as go over some parts of the reflections of the trees and fence to show highlights in the water current.
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This is my final product which is an oil painting of a landscape photograph I had taken previously. I really like how the reflections in the water came out as well as the elements that were above the horizon line. The colors work together well to create a vibrant piece because they are in contrast to one another. The blues of the piece make the reds and yellows of the car pop out and appear more bright. |
Reflection
Overall, I am very happy and pleased with the outcome of my final project. This was my first time using oil paints on canvas but I think this was very good for my first time. I am also proud of my final product because of the outcome of the reflections within the water. I have never had experience making reflections in water and much less with using paints but I was proud with the outcome. I learned many new techniques throughout the process of completing this painting. I learned how water affects the reflections of things cast upon it such as the reflections in water are often lighter and hazier when recreating it in paint. I learned many new things about the Impressionist movement as well as how Claude Monet painted. I believe my research that I did about Monet contributed greatly the the overall outcome of my piece because it allowed me to understand some of his artwork and inspirations as well as his techniques he used to achieve this. I believe my final piece is very connected to Claude Monet's Red Boats, Argenteuil because of the similar use of theme, colors, and medium as well as the intention and theme of the piece. He conveyed the beauty of Argenteuil, a place he would frequently go to while I also tried to show the beauty of my landscape photo. He emphasized beauty by omitting certain areas and painting only certain objects such as pollution and trash within the water. I also did this by not painting the boats located far within the background to emphasize nature more than man made objects. I have refined my brushstroke techniques throughout this process because I practiced before completing my final piece which allowed me to familiarize myself with an impressionist style. Prior to this project, I had never once used oil paints or painted in an impressionist style that showed distinct, overlapping brushstrokes.
Although I am very proud of the outcome, I also believe there could have been many improvements. I think I could have done a better job documenting my process such as taking notes of what I did as well as taking progress photos more often. I believe I could have also used more variation in hues such as creating more contrast between darks and lights which would make my final product appear less two dimensional. It was also difficult to create this piece because I had a limited amount of paint and was only able to use three available brushes. I think the piece might have come out better if I was able to use a thinner brush as the lines wouldn't be as thick. Having thinner brushstrokes instead of thicker ones contributes to the overall harmony of the piece because it can make the piece look more subtle while thick lines make it appear more drastic. The challenges I faced throughout completing this piece was painting the overlapping brushstrokes without those colors blending and mixing together. I solved this issue by adding colors to the canvas but after adding those colors, I tried to not go over the brushstroke more than once to avoid any colors mixing together. It was also very difficult to paint the trees in a way that the leaves looked like leaves and not some undefined figure. My favorite part of the project was painting the reflections in the water because there was no set shape for the figures that were being reflected which allowed me to experiment. I am most proud of my reflections in the water because I enjoy how the undefined shapes came out in the reflections as they have no sharp or harsh edges which is similar to Monet's style of painting reflections.
Although I am very proud of the outcome, I also believe there could have been many improvements. I think I could have done a better job documenting my process such as taking notes of what I did as well as taking progress photos more often. I believe I could have also used more variation in hues such as creating more contrast between darks and lights which would make my final product appear less two dimensional. It was also difficult to create this piece because I had a limited amount of paint and was only able to use three available brushes. I think the piece might have come out better if I was able to use a thinner brush as the lines wouldn't be as thick. Having thinner brushstrokes instead of thicker ones contributes to the overall harmony of the piece because it can make the piece look more subtle while thick lines make it appear more drastic. The challenges I faced throughout completing this piece was painting the overlapping brushstrokes without those colors blending and mixing together. I solved this issue by adding colors to the canvas but after adding those colors, I tried to not go over the brushstroke more than once to avoid any colors mixing together. It was also very difficult to paint the trees in a way that the leaves looked like leaves and not some undefined figure. My favorite part of the project was painting the reflections in the water because there was no set shape for the figures that were being reflected which allowed me to experiment. I am most proud of my reflections in the water because I enjoy how the undefined shapes came out in the reflections as they have no sharp or harsh edges which is similar to Monet's style of painting reflections.
Critique
Similarities
- Each art piece has a red object in its center to create contrast among the other colors with that center object being man-made rather than nature - Both art piece convey the beauty of nature and omit unwanted things such as pollution or waste - Both pieces contain similar hues of greens, blues, and reds. |
Differences
- Monet's piece contains shorter, thinner brushstrokes - Monet's art piece has more layers with shadows and highlights emphasized more while my piece is more flat and two dimensional because of lack of highlights and shadows |
ACT Response
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
I am able to identify the cause effect relationship between my inspiration and its effect on my artwork through the use of hues such as the blues, greens, and reds as well as the overall theme of my final product.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Claude Monet has a distinct style with his brushstrokes during his time as an Impressionist using short, loose strokes. He uses vibrant colors to create depth and contrast among different subjects in his paintings.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Generalizations and conclusions I made about Monet while researching is that I found out that Monet worked along side and was mentored by many Impressionists causing his style to evolve. His brushstrokes were short and distinct, but as he continued to paint, sharp edges were eliminated causing a more hazy effect. I concluded that artists can adopt many different styles and techniques and adjust them to fit their preference.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme around Red Boats, Argenteuil is nature and light. In Monet's painting, he shows various objects with contrasting hues as well as light reflecting into the water.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
Inferences I made while researching regards Monet's choice of colors. I believe he chose very contrasting colors as to make certain elements of his piece pop out and more obvious than others.
I am able to identify the cause effect relationship between my inspiration and its effect on my artwork through the use of hues such as the blues, greens, and reds as well as the overall theme of my final product.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Claude Monet has a distinct style with his brushstrokes during his time as an Impressionist using short, loose strokes. He uses vibrant colors to create depth and contrast among different subjects in his paintings.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Generalizations and conclusions I made about Monet while researching is that I found out that Monet worked along side and was mentored by many Impressionists causing his style to evolve. His brushstrokes were short and distinct, but as he continued to paint, sharp edges were eliminated causing a more hazy effect. I concluded that artists can adopt many different styles and techniques and adjust them to fit their preference.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central theme around Red Boats, Argenteuil is nature and light. In Monet's painting, he shows various objects with contrasting hues as well as light reflecting into the water.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
Inferences I made while researching regards Monet's choice of colors. I believe he chose very contrasting colors as to make certain elements of his piece pop out and more obvious than others.