Comments on: Color Composition as Seen Through The Eyes of Robert Henri-Part 2 http://attentiveequations.com/2009/11/19/color-composition-as-seen-through-the-eyes-of-robert-henri-part-2/ ...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/2009/11/19/color-composition-as-seen-through-the-eyes-of-robert-henri-part-2/#comment-46 Judith Reeve Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:50:13 +0000 http://attentiveequations.com/?p=653#comment-46 As you say color and value are inseparable. But value alone cannot carry everything. One cannot detach our innate sensitivity to color and the emotional impact it can have on the viewer. Harmony has many aspects. All exceptional painting does not solely rely on value, yet one without the proper value relationships does fall flat. But painting that contains an exceptional color balance and harmony speaks to a greater degree. The impact is felt on many levels: visually tantalizing and emotionally intense, both appealing to an unconscious aspect that is not easily identified. Baudelaire expresses the richness of both worlds- the graphic as well as color: "One can be both a colorist and a draftsman, but only in a certain sense. Just as a draftsman can be be a colorist in his broad masses, so a colorist can be a draftsman through the complete logic of his linear composition; but one of these qualities always absorbs the detail of the other. Colorists draw like nature: their figures are defined naturally by the harmonious interplay of colored masses. Pure draftsman are philosophers and abstractors of quintessences. Colorists are epic poets."( <em>What is Romanticism? 1846</em>) As you say color and value are inseparable. But value alone cannot carry everything. One cannot detach our innate sensitivity to color and the emotional impact it can have on the viewer. Harmony has many aspects. All exceptional painting does not solely rely on value, yet one without the proper value relationships does fall flat. But painting that contains an exceptional color balance and harmony speaks to a greater degree. The impact is felt on many levels: visually tantalizing and emotionally intense, both appealing to an unconscious aspect that is not easily identified. Baudelaire expresses the richness of both worlds- the graphic as well as color:

“One can be both a colorist and a draftsman, but only in a certain sense. Just as a draftsman can be be a colorist in his broad masses, so a colorist can be a draftsman through the complete logic of his linear composition; but one of these qualities always absorbs the detail of the other. Colorists draw like nature: their figures are defined naturally by the harmonious interplay of colored masses. Pure draftsman are philosophers and abstractors of quintessences. Colorists are epic poets.”( What is Romanticism? 1846)

]]> By: Troy Kilgore http://attentiveequations.com/2009/11/19/color-composition-as-seen-through-the-eyes-of-robert-henri-part-2/#comment-45 Troy Kilgore Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:36:26 +0000 http://attentiveequations.com/?p=653#comment-45 I have really enjoyed reading your blog, lots of great thoughts on color and temperature! I wonder, concerning harmonies, do you think color harmony can be separated from value harmonies? I mean, I have seen many very pleasing B/W, greyscale/monotone compositions but I'm not sure that I can think of one instance when I have seen a painting with a poorly composed value structure saved by its color choices. I believe that underneath all successful, harmonious color compositions lies the essential value arrangements that make it "easy on the eye". Any Thoughts? I have really enjoyed reading your blog, lots of great thoughts on color and temperature!
I wonder, concerning harmonies, do you think color harmony can be separated from value harmonies? I mean, I have seen many very pleasing B/W, greyscale/monotone compositions but I’m not sure that I can think of one instance when I have seen a painting with a poorly composed value structure saved by its color choices.
I believe that underneath all successful, harmonious color compositions lies the essential value arrangements that make it “easy on the eye”.
Any Thoughts?

]]> By: Whit Prentice http://attentiveequations.com/2009/11/19/color-composition-as-seen-through-the-eyes-of-robert-henri-part-2/#comment-44 Whit Prentice Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:37:33 +0000 http://attentiveequations.com/?p=653#comment-44 And, it's always a treat to see your artwork in your posts. Keep it coming! And, it’s always a treat to see your artwork in your posts. Keep it coming!

]]> By: Whit Prentice http://attentiveequations.com/2009/11/19/color-composition-as-seen-through-the-eyes-of-robert-henri-part-2/#comment-43 Whit Prentice Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:31:54 +0000 http://attentiveequations.com/?p=653#comment-43 This is fascinating material. Color theory that has practical application for the representational painter as you demonstrate so well in your artwork and examples in your posts. I have begun using a couple of the color chords in my work and found that it has helped a great deal in giving my paintings color harmony. Being new to using the ideas you describe in (Color Composition as Seen Through The Eyes of Robert Henri) I find trying to apply them quite challenging. I cannot overstate what an enormous help watching you paint (At the Woodstock School of Art or out land scape painting) is in my ability to put this knowledge to use. It is incredible to see what can be done when I try to paint a subject using one of the chords and then to watch someone who is really accomplished at it paint the same subject. For me I believe it is essential to see it done. Thank you for being so generous Judith. This is fascinating material. Color theory that has practical application for the representational painter as you demonstrate so well in your artwork and examples in your posts. I have begun using a couple of the color chords in my work and found that it has helped a great deal in giving my paintings color harmony. Being new to using the ideas you describe in (Color Composition as Seen Through The Eyes of Robert Henri) I find trying to apply them quite challenging. I cannot overstate what an enormous help watching you paint (At the Woodstock School of Art or out land scape painting) is in my ability to put this knowledge to use. It is incredible to see what can be done when I try to paint a subject using one of the chords and then to watch someone who is really accomplished at it paint the same subject. For me I believe it is essential to see it done. Thank you for being so generous Judith.

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