Degas and his Compositional Structures in Paintings

Degas was a master artist of compositional structures. His paintings with complex, multiple forms were unified with values and other art elements. In his painting, The Cotton Exchange, Degas joined his many figures with dark values. In the gray scale image, examine the man in the foreground. The dark hat overlaps and joins the table’s dark edge. His arm overlaps the leg of the table. The man at the front right of the canvas joins with the dark shelf. The single figure at the left is alone but he is linked with the door’s edge and the items in the window. Select a dark value and follow it around the master’s painting.

In the painting of the dancers, Degas left an empty space in the center of the painting. This was a unique design. The dancers are placed around the edge of the painting. The chair is placed on a diagonal to move us into the painting and toward the teacher. Light to light middle tone values of the dance studio unite the painting.

Click on title of this post to buy images of my paintings on items, i.e. fine art prints, greeting cards, posters, shirts and mugs. Customize style, color, border and more. Final prices are shown after you customize products and select the quantity of the product in my store and other stores. Did you know that my items are in the public setting? If you are on another Zazzle site, i.e. Zazzle.ca, you can buy my items. You will not be eligible for sales on Zazzle.com. If you received this post via email (feedburner), you may need to copy and paste this URL into your browser, http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist* . 50% sale off cards and 25% sale off pet apparel contines.

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50% Off Cards; 25% Off Pet Apparel at Zazzle.com

Zazzle. com has a sale for Happy Dog Week. 50% off cards; 25% off pet apparel. Sale lasts until October 3, 2010 at 11:59 pm, Pacific Time. The code is HAPPYDOGWEEK. If a volume discount applies to the order, you receive either the sale offer or the standard volume discount whichever is greater. Also receive 5 free holiday cards from Zazzle's selected templates. The code is HOLIDAYCARDZ.

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Different Hues; Same Values. My Landscape Painting, "The Colorful Land"

This is my new painting, The Colorful Land. The dominant color temperature is cool. The dominant value is mid tones. The light is coming from the right. The modeling of the trees is similar to cylindrical modeling. The repetition in my painting, i.e. the trees, maintains unity. The trees also provide rhythm and eye movement. I usually connect the light or dark values for unity. Because of the spaces among the leaves (lace), the light tones join and unite the painting. The artist, Degas connected his above painting with dark values. The leaves of the trees are painted with several colors. Examine the orange and green leaves. Orange and green are different hues and have different color temperatures. View the gray scale image. The orange and green are the same value and therefore, create a single shape. It is best to have different color temperatures in one shape. One temperature should be dominant.

Click on title of this post to buy images of my paintings on items, i.e. fine art prints, greeting cards, posters, shirts and mugs. Customize style, color, border and more. Final prices are shown after you customize products and select the quantity of the product in my store and other stores. Did you know that my items are in the public setting? If you are on another Zazzle site, i.e. Zazzle.ca, you can buy my items. You will not be eligible for sales on Zazzle.com. If you received this post via email (feedburner), you may need to copy and paste this URL into your browser, http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist* .

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Analysis of My Landscape Painting, "Winter Colors"

This is my painting, Winter Colors. Like most winter scenes it is predominantly light to mid tones in value (gray scale). The dominant temperature is cool from the blue violet sky and green trees. The snow reflects the violet blue hue of the sky. The path, fence and building are a warm muted orange. The path leads the viewer into the picture. The fence is open and does not stop viewers from moving into the background. The light is from the front of the picture as you can see from the cast shadow of the figure. The building is in 2 point linear perspective but viewers are not locked in the background because the trees, figure and fence bring the viewer into the foreground.

Click on title of this post to buy images of my paintings on items, i.e. fine art prints, greeting cards, posters, shirts and mugs. Customize style, color, border and more. Final prices are shown after you customize products and select the quantity of the product in my store and other stores. Did you know that my items are in the public setting? If you are on another Zazzle site, i.e. Zazzle.ca, you can buy my items. You will not be eligible for sales on Zazzle.com. If you received this post via email (feedburner), you may need to copy and paste this URL into your browser, http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist* .

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Buy my original paintings. Paintings on canvas mounted on wood stretcher bars are $60 (20.4 by 25.5 cm, 8 by 10 inches). Shipping is free within Canada and the U.S. There is no sales tax. http://arlene-babad.fineartamerica.com (buy direct from the artist) and http://artbyarlenebabad.etsy.com

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Renaissance Artist, Masaccio & His Painting, The Trinity. Trompe L'oeil

Masaccio’s painting, The Trinity, changed the world of art at the beginning of the Renaissance. (See my previous post.) In his use of linear perspective in the vault, Masaccio used a vanishing point and horizon line (eye level) below the Christ figure. I have marked several perspective lines following the arch and the horizon line (eye level) in red. The arches’ lines converge at the vanishing point on the horizon line. The vault’s squares also diminish in size as the perspective lines converge. The kneeling figures are in front of the picture plane and therefore occupy our space. Masaccio created a trompe l’oeil effect (fool the eye) showing objects and space. One of the best known images of this effect is a boy stepping out of the picture plane (Escaping Criticism, Pere Borell del Caso). In his painting, Masaccio used light to model the Christ figure. Artists, critics and patrons came to view Masaccio's The Trinity and his illusion of space using for the first time linear perspective in painting.

Click on title of this post to buy images of my paintings on items, i.e. fine art prints, greeting cards, posters, shirts and mugs. Customize style, color, border and more. Final prices are shown after you customize products and select the quantity of the product in my store and other stores. Did you know that my items are in the public setting? If you are on another Zazzle site, i.e. Zazzle.ca, you can buy my items. You will not be eligible for sales on Zazzle.com. Zazzle.com sale of specific items continues. If you received this post via email (feedburner), you may need to copy and paste this URL into your browser, http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist* .

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Buy my original paintings. Paintings on canvas mounted on wood stretcher bars are $60 (20.4 by 25.5 cm, 8 by 10 inches). There is no sales tax. Shipping is free within Canada and the U.S. http://arlene-babad.fineartamerica.com (buy direct from the artist) and http://artbyarlenebabad.etsy.com

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Up to 50% Off Items at Zazzle.com

Zazzle.com is again having a sale. 50% off greeting cards. 40% off invitations. 30% off calendars. 10% off apparel/shirts (does not include screen print apparel). Code is AUTUMNZAZZLE. Sale is until September 23, 2010 at 11:59 pm, Pacific Time. Customize color, text and more.

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Birth of the Renaissance and the Artist, Masaccio

The Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries resulted in a new period of art. It was based on ancient Roman culture and humanism. The human being played a central role. One of the early leaders was the Italian artist, Masaccio (1401 to 1428). His fresco in Florence (The Trinity) revolutionized art in painting. Masaccio used linear perspective to place his figures in depth and space. Masaccio’s friend Brunelleschi, an architect, first used linear perspective in architecture. We are used to paintings that create the illusion of space; Masaccio ushered in linear perspective and changed the world of art.

Click on title of this post to buy images of my paintings on items, i.e. fine art prints, greeting cards, posters, shirts and mugs. Customize style, color, border and more. Final prices are shown after you customize products and select the quantity of the product in my store and other stores. Did you know that my items are in the public setting? If you are on another Zazzle site, i.e. Zazzle.ca, you can buy my items. You will not be eligible for sales on Zazzle.com. If you received this post via email (feedburner), you may need to copy and paste this URL into your browser, http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist* .

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Buy my original paintings. Paintings on canvas mounted on wood stretcher bars are $60 (20.4 by 25.5 cm, 8 by 10 inches). Shipping is free within Canada and the U.S. http://arlene-babad.fineartamerica.com and http://artbyarlenebabad.etsy.com

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Sale on White Mugs with Designs @ Zazzle.com

Another Zazzle.com sale. 50% off white mugs with designs. The sale is until 4 pm, Eastern Time, today (September 17, 2010). The code is FFHS50OFFRRM. 20% off white mugs with designs from 4:01 pm, ET until September 19, 2010, 11:59 pm, ET. The code is the same as the 50% sale. Customize color, style and more. See images of my paintings on mugs.

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$3 off All Mugs and Steins

Zazzle.com sale. $3 off mugs and steins. Items with images of my paintings. Code is PROSTMUGSALE. Sale ends September 20, 2010 at 11:59 pm, Pacific Time. Customize style, color and more. Click on title of post or copy and paste URL into your browser. http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist*

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Painting the Colors of Snow; Complements and Split Complements

This is my painting, Glistening Snow. I was interested in achieving the accumulation of snow on the trees and boards over the water. This is actual texture made with thick strokes of paint. I used the color (hue) yellow and its split complement, blue violet. Split complements are the 2 hues beside the complement of the color. The complement of yellow is violet. The split complements of yellow are red violet and blue violet. Snow is not white. It reflects the colors around it. The snow in my painting has a yellow hue from the overhead sun and a blue violet hue from the above sky.

Click on title of this post to buy images of my paintings on items, i.e. fine art prints, greeting cards, posters, shirts and mugs. Customize style, color, border and more. Final prices are shown after you customize products and select the quantity of the product in my store and other stores. Did you know that my items are in the public setting? If you are on another Zazzle site, i.e. Zazzle.ca, you can buy my items. You will not be eligible for sales on Zazzle.com. If you received this post via email (feedburner), you may need to copy and paste this URL into your browser, http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist* .

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Buy my original paintings. Paintings on canvas mounted on wood stretcher bars are $60 (20.4 by 25.5 cm, 8 by 10 inches). Shipping is free within Canada and the U.S. http://arlene-babad.fineartamerica.com and http://artbyarlenebabad.etsy.com

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Compositional Structures in Art - The Cross

The cross compositional design is another compositional structure in paintings. It ensures unity and balance. The vertical line is most important. It has strength, weight and power. This painting by Rogier van der Weyden, Descent from the Cross (1435-38), is at the Prado Museum, Madrid.(H.R. Poore, Composition in Art) The painting's design is in the shape of a cross. The cross, ladder and the majority of the Christ figure are in the vertical space. The shape of the Virgin Mary repeats the shape of the Christ figure adding to the unity of the painting.

Click on title of this post to buy images of my paintings on items, i.e. fine art prints, greeting cards, posters, shirts and mugs. Customize style, color, border and more. Final prices are shown after you customize products and select the quantity of the product in my store and other stores. Did you know that my items are in the public setting? If you are on another Zazzle site, i.e. Zazzle.ca, you can buy my items. You will not be eligible for sales on Zazzle.com. If you received this post via email (feedburner), you may need to copy and paste this URL into your browser, http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist* . Zazzle.com sale on T-shirts/shirts and prints/posters continues. This is the last day of free shipping to U.S. addresses.

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Buy my original paintings. Paintings on canvas mounted on wood stretcher bars are $60 (20.4 by 25.5 cm, 8 by 10 inches). Shipping is free within Canada and the U.S. http://arlene-babad.fineartamerica.com and http://artbyarlenebabad.etsy.com

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Zazzle.com Sale on Shirts and Posters

Zazzle.com sale. 15% off T-shirts/shirts and 30% off posters/prints until September 16, 2010 at 11:59 pm, Pacific Time. Code is FRNDSANDFMLY. Sale does not apply for printed screen apparel or framed posters and prints. Sale cannot be used with other promotional offers.

FREE ECONOMY SHIPPING TO ALL U.S. ADDRESSES. CODE IS SEPTSHIPFREE. Offer is until September 15, 2010 at 11:59 pm, Pacific Time. See Zazzle details.

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Frames for Color Paintings on Canvas with Mats

In my previous post, I provided 3 examples of double mats for my painting, “Water against the Rocks”. I had preferred the muted light blue mat similar to the painting’s dominant hue. In the above images, I selected the recommended complement of the dominant color, a light to mid tone muted orange. I made the above frames with Photoshop. The frames are 0.5 inches in width. There are many frames to consider. In general, the style of the frame should be similar to the style of the painting, i.e. a wood frame would be suitable for a landscape painting. The first image is a frame with a dark blue gray color and a grain texture. The bottom image is a dark orange brown with a texturize frame. It is helpful to select frames with the mat and painting available. You should also consider the wall’s color.

Click on title of this post to buy images of my paintings on items, i.e. fine art prints, greeting cards, posters, shirts and mugs. Customize style, color, border and more. Final prices are shown after you customize products and select the quantity of the product in my store and other stores. If you received this post via email (feedburner), you may need to copy and paste this URL into your browser, http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist* . I am adding the image of my painting, “Water against the Rocks”, to items in my Zazzle shop. I have currently made posters and prints on paper or canvas, greeting cards, postcards, mugs, mousepads, hats and T-shirts. Free economy shipping on all orders to U.S. addresses. Code is SEPTSHIPFREE. Sale lasts until September 15, 2010 at 11:59 pm, Pacific Time. See Zazzle details.

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Buy my original paintings. Paintings on canvas mounted on wood stretcher bars are $60 (20.4 by 25.5 cm, 8 by 10 inches). Shipping is free within Canada and the U.S. http://arlene-babad.fineartamerica.com and http://artbyarlenebabad.etsy.com

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Selecting Mats for Color Paintings on Canvas

Size, color and more are considered when buying a mat for a painting. I edited the above images of my painting, Water Against the Rocks, for this post with Photoshop. Double mats are very attractive. Generally a mat’s colors should be lighter in value and less intense than colors of your painting. Some people recommend that the bottom mat be similar in color to the dominant color of the painting. A mid tone gray is also attractive. In my 3 images, I used a 0.25 inch mid tone gray bottom mat. This neutral color enhances colors in a painting.

The top mat is 1 inch in width; the painting is 8 by 10 inches. A narrow mat can make a painting look cheap. Many people also recommend that the color of the top mat be the complement of the painting’s dominant color. Since my painting’s dominant color is blue, I used a light to mid tone muted orange mat in the first image. I did not like the color of the muted orange. My second image has a muted light blue mat similar to the painting’s dominant hue. I prefer this to the complement of my painting’s dominant color. It is recommended that the bottom of the mat be 0.75 to 1 inch wider than the width of the upper border; particularly with a long horizontal painting. This is added to prevent the bottom from being overwhelmed. I added approximately 0.75 inch to the bottom border in my third image. The width of the horizontal and vertical borders can also differ as can the pattern. Comment on your favorite mat. The fourth image is my painting with some minor changes.

Click on title of this post to buy images of my paintings on items, i.e. fine art prints, greeting cards, posters, shirts and mugs. Customize style, color, border and more. Final prices are shown after you customize products and select the quantity of the product in my store and other stores. If you received this post via email (feedburner), copy and paste this URL into your browser, http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist*

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Buy my original paintings. Paintings on canvas mounted on wood stretcher bars are $60 (20.4 by 25.5 cm, 8 by 10 inches). Shipping is free within Canada and the U.S. http://arlene-babad.fineartamerica.com and http://artbyarlenebabad.etsy.com

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Contrast in Color Painting on Canvas, Waterscape

This is my new color painting on canvas, Water against the Rocks. As expected in a waterscape, the dominant value is light. The light value is created by the sky and water. I enjoyed painting the warm rocks as a contrast to the overall cool hues. The water splashing against the rocks overlaps the water and sky; helping to maintain unity. In the original scene, the mist resulted in a faint image of the mountains in the background. The reflections were not visible. I painted the mountains and reflection to balance the strong rock formation on the lower left canvas. I also added an orange yellow skyline as a complement for the cool blues.

Click on title of this post to buy images of my paintings on items, i.e. fine art prints, greeting cards, posters, shirts and mugs. Customize style, color, border and more. Final prices are shown after you customize products and select the quantity of the product in my store and other stores. If you received this post via email (feedburner), copy and paste this URL into your browser, http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist*

You can receive updates of my posts by email. Subscribe in the right upper widget. Forward this article to interested friends and family. Also join my Facebook Fan Page; click on the Fan Page widget to your right. Follow me on Twitter. http://artbyarlene.blogspot.com

Buy my original paintings. Paintings on canvas mounted on wood stretcher bars are $60 (20.4 by 25.5 cm, 8 by 10 inches). Shipping is free within Canada and the U.S. http://arlene-babad.fineartamerica.com and http://artbyarlenebabad.etsy.com

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Have a Safe & Happy Labour Day

Happy Labour Day. Arlene
http://artbyarlene.blogspot.com

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Color Painting on Canvas, Landscape with Figure - By the Artist

This older color painting on canvas is called, The Stroll. I liked the hues (colors) and hope they are visible in this small image. There is green in the foreground of the blue water. The water changes to a muted white in the background to create depth (atmospheric perspective). The rocks are a muted orange with flickers of green. The rocks lead in a diagonal shape to the background. I used the green trees with a small amount of pink in the background to unite the shapes of the water and land. The focal point is the lone figure.

Zazzle.com sale continues. Up to 60% off items with images of my paintings. The sale ends September 6, 2010 at 11:59 pm, Pacific Time.
Click on title of this post to buy images of my paintings on items, i.e. fine art prints, greeting cards, posters, shirts and mugs. Customize style, color, border and more. Final prices are shown after you customize products and select the quantity of the product in my store and other stores. If you received this post via email (feedburner), copy and paste this URL into your browser, http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist*.

You can receive updates of my posts by email. Subscribe in the right upper widget. Forward this article to interested friends and family. Also join my Facebook Fan Page; click on the Fan Page widget to your right. Follow me on Twitter. http://artbyarlene.blogspot.com

Buy my original paintings. Paintings on canvas mounted on wood stretcher bars are $60 (20.4 by 25.5 cm, 8 by 10 inches). Shipping is free within Canada and the U.S. http://arlene-babad.fineartamerica.com and http://artbyarlenebabad.etsy.com

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Up to 60% Off Sale of Items with My Paintings on Zazzle.com

Zazzle.com is having a sale. 20% off bags & hats. 10% off shirts & mugs. 60% off aprons. 30% off posters. Promotion code is LABORDAYSALE. Sale is until September 6, 2010 at 11:59 pm, Pacific Time. Customize style, color and more. http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist* Or click on title of post.

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Color Landscape Painting with Building - By the Artist

This color painting on canvas is called, Building in Landscape. I liked the warm building contrasted against the cool green grass and trees. I also liked the warm path that leads into the painting. The form and cast shadows are on the left side of the painting. The sunlight is radiating from the right side. The plane of the building facing toward the right side of the canvas is the local color. This building is a cube form with a wedge form on top. The edges of the building’s planes are abrupt. The edges are not smooth and gradated as you would see in spheres, cylinders and cones. The building is in 2 point linear perspective. I particularly liked the yellow green color in the foreground.

Click on title of this post to buy images of my paintings on items, i.e. fine art prints, greeting cards, posters, shirts and mugs. Customize style, color, border and more. Final prices are shown after you customize products and select the quantity of the product in my store and other stores. If you received this post via email (feedburner), copy and paste this URL into your browser, http://www.zazzle.com/arlenebabadartist*.

You can receive updates of my posts by email. Subscribe in the right upper widget. Forward this article to interested friends and family. Also join my Facebook Fan Page; click on the Fan Page widget to your right. Follow me on Twitter. http://artbyarlene.blogspot.com

Buy my original paintings. Paintings on canvas mounted on wood stretcher bars are $60 (20.4 by 25.5 cm, 8 by 10 inches). Shipping is free within Canada and the U.S. http://arlene-babad.fineartamerica.com and http://artbyarlenebabad.etsy.com

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