Depth Perception

I have always been fascinated by the phenomena of the reflectiveness, refraction and transparency of water. It can be easily seen by standing at the end of a large swimming pool or in knee deep crystal clear Caribbean ocean water on a sunny day. 

As you look at the water in the distance, you mostly see the reflection of the sky on the surface of the water. As your eye draws a little closer to where you’re standing, the surface reflection diminishes and you begin to see through the water to the bottom. Also, at the transition point, underwater objects seem flattened by the angle of your line of site sight and the refraction of light through the water. As you look down toward your feet the refraction diminishes and you see objects in there truer form.

This is what I wanted to portray with this peaceful painting, Depth Perception (24”x48” acrylic on gallery wrap canvas).

Depth Perception by Alan Zawacki

Clouds and blue sky reflect off of the surface of the calm water in the distance. As your eye moves down closer to where you are standing you begin to see the somewhat flattened appearance of the coral outcroppings on the bottom. 

 

Depth Perception - close-up detail

Then, you look down just a few feet away and you can see completely though the water at the fish swimming around their coral homes. The sunlight that penetrates through the shallow water dances across the bottom in fleeting geometric shapes. 

Depth Perception by Alan Zawacki - available on Houzz

I enjoyed this process so much, I think I will have to do more of these scenes. 

Have a great week, everyone!

Alan

Progression of a Still Life

I occasionally get the inspiration to create a still life painting, especially when the weather outside is not favorable to setting up for a location plein air painting. This time, I thought that I might document how I go about creating a still life. There are many, many artists that are much better at creating still life paintings than I. But since I enjoy it, I will continue to practice, practice, practice.

First, I set up a make-shift arrangement in my studio with some direct lighting on the subject.

Then, I quickly sketched the composition in pencil, just to see if I liked the layout.

OK. I liked that, so I used some paint to lay in the basic shapes.

Now, I wanted to apply some basic color. It didn't have to be spot on at this stage. I just wanted to get it close.

Next, I wanted to refine the color and shapes a bit more.

It's time to lay in some background. I used a white blanket for my actual set-up because that's all I had at the time, but I wanted to create a colored background to add interest. I also began to work on the reflections on the glass of wine.

Lastly, I darkened the background again, added the cashew nuts, and refined the color and detail.

The framed painting ---- Simple Snack (11"x14" acrylic on canvas board).

That was fun. 
By the way, when I was done, I ate and drank the props. Can't let anything go to waste.

Have a great week,
Alan

30% Off All Original Paintings-- Thanksgiving Weekend Etsy Cyber Sale

You will receive a 30% discount off each of my original paintings in your entire order from 9 AM ET Black Friday through midnight ET Cyber Monday. Once you add an item to your cart, click Apply shop coupon code above Item total. Enter the coupon code and click Apply. The coupon discount will adjust your order total. 

Treat yourself or others to the gift of original art – look for the coupon code on Friday morning at:

Alan Zawacki Fine Art on Etsy

Have a Happy Thanksgiving,

Alan

Why Buy an Original Painting?

I recently came across an article on Houzz, a piece of which, I just had to pass on to my blog followers. As you may know, Houzz is the world’s leading website for interior design and remodeling ideas. Since my large original painting portfolio is displayed on my Houzz website (Alan Zawacki Fine Art on Houzz), this article really spoke to me. This is a brief excerpt from “9 Reasons to Buy a Painting” by Laura Gaskill (lolalina).

“There’s no doubt that buying prints and posters is fun (and affordable) — but there’s a lot to be said for saving up for a piece of one-of-a-kind art. If you’ve been sticking with framed prints, let these 9 reasons tempt you into your neighborhood gallery to peruse the paintings instead.

1. Buying a painting supports the artist directly.

2. Paintings are tactile.

3. Paintings are perfect for renters.

4. Paintings are one of a kind.

5. Paintings are handmade.

6. A painting can make the room.

7. Paintings make a house feel like home.

8. Paintings inspire.

9. Curating your own art gallery is fun!”

After reading Laura's article, I added my own thoughts in her comment section:

“There are people who like art and there are people who love art. There are people who use art as a backdrop and there are people who use it as the inspiration and emotion for their space. One size does not fit all. And, that's the beauty of it all. Everyone can get what they want.

The "artist" creates from inspiration and emotion. When a person can feel that transference into their home, it makes it all worthwhile for the artist.

An original can create an overarching "feeling" in the home. It can bring energy, excitement and wonder or it can bring peaceful daydreaming, relaxation and soothing.

I think that it's great that you get to choose.”

Have a great day.
Alan

Walking into a Painting

Many of my landscape or seascape creations involve a perspective of being drawn into the painting from foreground to background. I enjoy creating the feeling in the viewer that he or she is actually walking into the painting.

I use various methods or strategies for accomplishing this feeling of being drawn into the scene. One way is to paint a waterway that meanders into the distance as in my painting, Amber Light (24"x18" acrylic on canvas).

This scene reminiscent of Myakka State Park in Florida, takes the viewer’s eye from the foreground grasses and palm trees on the bank of the creek into the tree-lined distance.

A similar method is used in my painting, Low Sun on the Water (12"x36" oil painting on gallery wrap canvas). In this painting, the water leads the eye into the distance toward the low sun and backlit clouds.

Another technique is to use people and common objects such as boats and landscape features at various distances from the viewer to bring the viewer’s eye from foreground to background as in, St. Martin Playground (24”x36” acrylic on gallery wrap canvas).

In some of my paintings such as, Low Tide (30"x24" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas), the water is the only thing that takes the viewer from the foreground into the distance.

I hope to never run out of interesting ways to have fun by tempting a viewer to "walk into the painting.”

Have a great week,

Alan