I don't squint as much as I should. Actually, what I do is kind of weird (and I don't endorse it), I slightly cross my eyes while closing one eye. This gets rid of all the details, and I can focus more on color and value. I don't know where I picked this habit up, but I do it constantly without even realizing it anymore. But for some reason, squinting, or doing the crazy cross eyed thing, helps with almost every aspect of painting. It seems so simple but it really seems to push everything else out and allow us to focus. It is an invaluable tool.
Monday, November 24, 2008
"New Mug" - SOLD
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13 comments:
Interesting technique- I'll give it a try. I've been in the habit of taking off my glasses for the first 2/3 of a painting. Sometimes, in fact, my paintings look really good until I put my glasses back on and overwork them.
So do you stop the cross-eyed squint at any point? For the stems on these lovely tomatoes, for example?
Oh yea, it's usually just a quick glance every few moments. Or when I need to refocus, or redraw.
I so love the way you use these analogous colors. There's such harmony. I tried your technique just now, and my eyes uncross as soon as I close one. Oh, well, back to squinting.
I find your colors and compositions very inspiring.
That is weird.
I also do something similar, I "unfocus" my eyes. When I show others this, I ask them to hold out there brush or finger in front of there face, at about arms length, focus on the brush tip and the subject will be out of focus. with some practice they can then do it without the finger or brush. hope that helps someone.?. By the way Aaron great piece.
This one is awesome Aaron and so is that Green Glass one below.
Or you could just do what I do and be nearsighted and never wear glasses.
Love your work. Nice edges and color harmony. I tried the eye crossing and well, I think I will stick to quinting thank you. Interesting technic thou.
sorry.....tagged. I think you were recently tagged so if you decide to play, my tag is painless. If you would like the rules they are posted on my blog. Dan
Arron,
The cool blue reflection makes it for me.
Hi Aaron,
That pop of blue, and the orange tomatoes -- perfect. I think my
eyes squint all by themselves. But
I'm going to check out your technique.
Take care,
Barbara
Aaron, I'll have to try this squinting cross-eyed thing. Hope it works for me as well as it works for you. The oranges on this one are gorgeous, and I love that dash of blue on the mug. Holly
It's the blue streak that really makes it. Not just for the exciting flash of color, but because it's the reflection of something unseen. It expands our frame of reference to outside edges of the painting. Reminding us that art doesn't exist in a vacuum.
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