Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Michael Chesley Johnson - Dawn Glimmer

Sometimes dull photos are the best to work from. They force you to get imaginative with color and stroke. For this one, I kept all the features blocky and somewhat abstract. I was most interested in the play of the distant glimmer of light on water, the sense of warmth in the hills and the overall softness of the atmosphere.

If you're shackled by detail, doing this kind of abstract piece can free you. Keep the format small, the pastel sticks large and give yourself no more than an hour to play. It's also a great way to experiment with color without fear.

"Dawn Glimmer"
9x12, pastel
Michael Chesley Johnson - www.MichaelChesleyJohnson.com

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