Comments on: The Complexity of Color http://attentiveequations.com/2009/06/05/the-complexity-of-color/ ...thoughts on the practice of oil painting from artist Judith Reeve Sat, 12 May 2012 18:35:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Judith Reeve http://attentiveequations.com/2009/06/05/the-complexity-of-color/#comment-12 Judith Reeve Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:01:38 +0000 http://attentiveequations.com/?p=230#comment-12 Ric, There is so much to absorb in The Art Spirit. What sometimes seems like an off hand comment is actually some advice. It appears less hidden to my eyes because I have seen the things that he had struggled with in his notebooks. And the Art Spirit is a constant reminder to me of what I have seen. He also, was not one to tell someone where they should take something. He desired that each artist would find his own way and he did not wish to be a hindrance- that they might see something that he had over looked or been unaware of. So keep delving into the Art Spirit, it is richer in practical advice than would first appear. Judith Ric, There is so much to absorb in The Art Spirit. What sometimes seems like an off hand comment is actually some advice. It appears less hidden to my eyes because I have seen the things that he had struggled with in his notebooks. And the Art Spirit is a constant reminder to me of what I have seen. He also, was not one to tell someone where they should take something. He desired that each artist would find his own way and he did not wish to be a hindrance- that they might see something that he had over looked or been unaware of. So keep delving into the Art Spirit, it is richer in practical advice than would first appear. Judith

]]> By: Ric Hirst http://attentiveequations.com/2009/06/05/the-complexity-of-color/#comment-11 Ric Hirst Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:45:44 +0000 http://attentiveequations.com/?p=230#comment-11 Judith, I confess I have no (as in zilch, nada. niete, none) knowledge of color theory. However, your explanations make it seem easy. I do not understand how he achieves his effects; however, when I look at a Henri painting my first impression is that he is unafraid to show his bond with those he paints. When they are hesitent his paint supports them, when they are happy he amplifies their joy, when they are beautiful he reaches out to touch their skin. Henri paintings are there and they are not there. The spirit is there but the details of life are just suggested. I've always read "the Art Spirit" for the generosity of his character which permeates every word in the book. On occasion I re-read it to feast upon his joie de vivre. Some where in TAS he says (and I am paraphrasing) that the artist paints a picture not necessarily to make a picture but to recapture a heightened sence of existence in its making. All that you have written seems to validate that observation. Furthermore, I agree with your assertion that thorough preparation and experience are the basis for art (or any action realy). I guess with thorough preparation you can forget all that one has laboriously learned in order to be in the moment. Judith, I confess I have no (as in zilch, nada. niete, none) knowledge of color theory. However, your explanations make it seem easy. I do not understand how he achieves his effects; however, when I look at a Henri painting my first impression is that he is unafraid to show his bond with those he paints. When they are hesitent his paint supports them, when they are happy he amplifies their joy, when they are beautiful he reaches out to touch their skin. Henri paintings are there and they are not there. The spirit is there but the details of life are just suggested.

I’ve always read “the Art Spirit” for the generosity of his character which permeates every word in the book. On occasion I re-read it to feast upon his joie de vivre. Some where in TAS he says (and I am paraphrasing) that the artist paints a picture not necessarily to make a picture but to recapture a heightened sence of existence in its making. All that you have written seems to validate that observation.

Furthermore, I agree with your assertion that thorough preparation and experience are the basis for art (or any action realy). I guess with thorough preparation you can forget all that one has laboriously learned in order to be in the moment.

]]> By: Whit Prentice http://attentiveequations.com/2009/06/05/the-complexity-of-color/#comment-10 Whit Prentice Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:00:44 +0000 http://attentiveequations.com/?p=230#comment-10 Thanks Judith, it was fascinating to read your description of how the color chord was used in The Dancer of Delhi while I looked at the painting in the catalogue. It was very helpful to me in understanding how a chord is used in a painting. Your paintings positively vibrate with color and a vivid sense of light that sometimes seems truer than the subject you are painting! It is amazing. Your blogs make what seemed to me a very complex color theory much more easy to understand. After years of painting with standard pallets and being either dissatisfied or utterly confounded with the color results I am going to take my first baby steps with a triad thanks to all your information , inspiration and wonderful example. I am looking forward to it and will keep you posted. Thanks Judith, it was fascinating to read your description of how the color chord was used in The Dancer of Delhi while I looked at the painting in the catalogue. It was very helpful to me in understanding how a chord is used in a painting. Your paintings positively vibrate with color and a vivid sense of light that sometimes seems truer than the subject you are painting! It is amazing.
Your blogs make what seemed to me a very complex color theory much more easy to understand. After years of painting with standard pallets and being either dissatisfied or utterly confounded with the color results I am going to take my first baby steps with a triad thanks to all your information , inspiration and wonderful example. I am looking forward to it and will keep you posted.

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