Copyright April M Rimpo

Visit April's website www.amrart.org
Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

"Gothic Pinnacles" a 20" X 16" Watercolor

Gothic Pinnacles by April M Rimpo
Gothic Pinnacles
Watercolor
20" X 16" image
$960

It's been awhile since I shared the colors and steps used to create a painting, so let's do it. I end this blog post on the architecture.

The Paints (pigment codes):
I used lavender/violet-yellow complements to create this painting. Complements tend to attract my eye and this particular set of colors conveys a happy feeling to a finished painting. The cool lavender and violet colors were used for the shadowed side of the building, while yellows were used in areas more brightly lit by the sun. 


Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors – New Gamboge (PY153)
Winsor and Newton Artist Water Colour – Yellow Ochre (PY43)
Daniel Smith Quinacridone Coral
American Journey Artists’ Watercolor Royal Amethyst (Dioxazine) (PV23)
Holbein Artists’ Watercolor Cerulean Blue (PB35)
Daniel Smith Indigo (PB60, PBk 6)
I prefer to work with paints that have a single pigment in them. It is easier to avoid dull, lusterless colors, which watercolor painters call "mud". This small set of pigments allows me to create a pretty wide range of colors. You might not expect the green in the evergreen trees to be created from the same pigments used in the buildings, but they are. 

To make the building and trees feel like they belonged to the same paintings, I included some of these same greens in the shadow areas of the building and in the dark window panes.I also added violet colors into tree highlights. Artists call this "bouncing the colors" to create color harmony.

A few of the steps
In this section I'm featuring the windows in the foreground because I think they work well to illustrate the gradual layering to build color in the architectural details.  
Palest colors on left windows and begining of darks on 3rd
Initially my goal was to establish the pale colors in the lighter areas of the window. This includes the whites and yellow of the scroll work and the pinks in the lattice work in the windows. The left two windows show the first layer of color. In the window on the right, I added darks to see how the lattice in the windows worked once the darks were added. This is typical in my work.  Shifting back and forth between painting lights and darks makes sure the value range is right.


Light grays in scroll work on 1st and 3rd windows
This second photo shows the gray shadows in the upper scroll work in the far left window. You can see I was working quite gradually on the scroll work making sure the shapes were accurate. The window on the right has the darkest darks added to the scroll work, giving a nice 3-D effect. The windows all have their first layer of dark allowing a lot of the pastel colors to show through.


Darks on All Windows
In this photo, the darks in the scroll work are done, but the darks in the windows need to get darker before the painting is finished. I stopped working on these windows here until the painting was nearly complete so I can compare them with my darkest darks in the painting.



Close-up of finished windows.

After finishing all the spires, the windows in the distant building, and the tree, I decided the window panes in the front needed to be darker and more neutral in color. The earlier shade was more blue/violet. I added the dark colors from the tree to the darkest areas of these windows. The green neutralized the violet and also helped integrate the green into the building, albeit in a subtle way. 

I hope this explanation helps. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask in a comment below.  

The Architecture
Here is an excerpt from section on Pinnacles on the Washington National Cathedral website https://cathedral.org/what-to-see/exterior/pinnacles/
A pinnacle is an architectural ornament originally forming the cap or crown of a buttress or small turret, but afterward used on parapets at the corners of towers and in many other situations. The pinnacle looks like a small spire. In addition to adding to the loftiness and verticality of the structure, the pinnacles are very heavy and enable the flying buttresses to counteract the weight of the vaulted ceiling and roof. By adding compressive stress (a result of the pinnacle weight), the building’s load is shifted downward rather than sideways.
Finials are the topmost portion of a pinnacle, often sculpted as a leaf-like ornament with an upright stem and a cluster of crockets. Crockets are projected pieces of carved stone that decorate the sloping ridges of pinnacles. The carved shapes of these elements help move rainwater down while keeping the water from the roof or walls. 
The website article goes on to discuss the damage from the 2011 earthquake on the East Coast and reconstruction efforts.

Click here to Contact April

Interested in learning more about April's art inspirations, tips about her painting process, or art business tidbits? Want to know when her art is in exhibits? Consider joining her friends and collectors by signing up for her twice-monthly email.

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

"Double Lagoon", a watercolor miniature

Double Lagoon 6.5" x 8.5" wood frame by April M Rimpo

Double Lagoon 1.3" X 3.6" image by April M Rimpo



Double Lagoon
Watercolor
1.3" X 3.6" image
6.5" x8.5" frame
$150





HorseSpirit Arts Gallery
8090 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD 
Phone: 410-461- 4505

Click here to Contact April

Interested in learning more about April's art inspirations, tips about her painting process, or art business tidbits? Want to know when her art is in exhibits? Consider joining her friends and collectors by signing up for her twice-monthly email.

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

Monday, July 24, 2017

"Galactic Light" an 8" x 8" fluid acrylic on gallery wrapped paper

Galactic Light by April M Rimpo
Galactic Light
Fluid Acrylic
8" X 8" gallery wrapped paper, varnished
SOLD

This painting started as an abstract I created by applying some tiny splashes a masking fluid on the paper. Once dry I sprayed the paper with water so form interesting nooks and crannies of water but leaving a some areas dry so there would be some white of the paper remaining. The next step was to apply a couple of very watered down paints using pipettes. I sprayed the paint to make it spread and tipped the paper to let it run and blend.  Once dry I removed the mask to reveal all the tiny dots of white left behind. 

My first thought was how much it reminded me of a very dark sky where you can see parts of the Milky Way. If you've ever been lucky enough to be in a dark sky area you will first be mesmerized by the sky; I find it nearly impossible to stop staring into space. But once you "come back to earth" you will notice how your surrounding glow from the incredible light coming from the unpolluted sky.

I decided to add the tall cliff with lit trees at the top to represent the glow. My goal was to increase the majesty of the sky by using the scale of the cliff to the trees to give the illusion that the cliffs were huge.

If this peeks your interest about dark skies you can read more about them at the International Dark Skies website.


Click here to Contact April

Interested in learning more about April's art inspirations, tips about her painting process, or art business tidbits? Want to know when her art is in exhibits? Consider joining her friends and collectors by signing up for her twice-monthly email.



Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Traffic Jam III, 3" X 24" fluid acrylic

Traffic Jam III by April M Rimpo
Traffic Jam
Fluid Acrylic
3" X 24" image
$275

My inspiration started in Amsterdam. Bikes raced along the bike lanes, which were typically wider than pedestrian sidewalks, running parallel to most roads. When crossing a street you had to remember not only to check the roads for traffic but also a final check of the bike lanes before getting to the sidewalk. The traffic in the bike lanes often moved much faster than car traffic and were actually the trickiest part of the crossing.

However any time you have a lot of traffic there are traffic jams during "rush hour." It was no different for the cyclists in Amsterdam. This painting, was the result of traveling by a long line of bikes that were stopped waiting for a light change to cross the car traffic. I had fun, adding in one person who actually turned around because she knew she had some time to wait.

This wide but short format was fun to try out. I see more in this format in my future.
View of "Traffic Jam III" and 
"Traffic Jam at the Concert" insitu
Consider the possibilities!

You can see more "Traffic Jam" paintings at these links:


Interested in learning more about April's art inspirations, tips about her painting process, or art business tidbits? Want to know when her art is in exhibits? Consider joining her friends and collectors by signing up for her twice-monthly email.

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

Sunday, July 9, 2017

"Follow Your Dreams" 16" X 7" Fluid Acrylic

“New Orleans is the only place I know of where you ask a little kid what he wants to be and instead of saying, I want to be a policeman, or I want to be a fireman, he says, I want to be a musician.” – Alan Jaffe, Jazz Musician and Founder of Preservation Hall
Follow Your Dreams
by April M Rimpo



Follow Your Dreams
16" X 7" 
Fluid Acrylic

SOLD

I think the quote from Alan Jaffe says it all about this painting.  This young man was high school age, playing in the streets of New Orleans during the French Quarter Jazz Fest. 

We saw street musicians from barely ten years old up to very accomplished masters, who added to the "official" music of Jazz Fest. The area in Jackson Square, just outside one of the official stadiums of the Fest, seemed like a favorite spot. Three kids, ranging from 10 - early teens sat down next to us one day, placed their plastic buckets upside down in front of them, and drummed away for the public.  They were really good.  I didn't photograph them, but will never forget them. 

Click here to Contact April

Interested in learning more about April's art inspirations, tips about her painting process, or art business tidbits? Want to know when her art is in exhibits? Consider joining her friends and collectors by signing up for her twice-monthly email.


Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

Friday, July 7, 2017

"Together" 20" X 16" fluid acrylic

Together by April M Rimpo


Together
Fluid Acrylic
20" X 16" image
in 26" x 23" brushed silver frame

Available for Purchase Now

There were lots of people out on the fishing wharf, but this man and his son were the ones to catch my eye. They had found a quiet spot where they were essentially fishing alone. It looked like this little boy was anxious to join in with his Dad. The water in the Gulf of Mexico was rough that day, due to the wind, but the temperatures were warm and the breeze felt good.  I find I can nearly transport myself back in time when I paint, the memories are that clear. I hope this scene brings back your own memories of a day by the water. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Click here to Contact April

Interested in learning more about April's art inspirations, tips about her painting process, or art business tidbits? Want to know when her art is in exhibits? Consider joining her friends and collectors by signing up for her twice-monthly email.

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.
#hocoarts #hocoartist #fishing #wharf #galveston #gufofmexico

Thursday, July 6, 2017

"The Bakery" 24" X 24" Fluid Acrylic

The Bakery by April M Rimpo
The Bakery was the result of a trip to the Hudson River Valley. My husband and I wandered around though the towns of the valley for several days enjoying the sights, food and wine.  While there we had to stop at the Culinary Institute of America have lunch in one of their restaurants and wander around outside on a lovely fall day. We also stopped in their cafe which had this bakery that served wonderful snacks and coffees.  I was drawn to all the activity in the bakery and found I could take some nice reference photos through their bakery window. When working on such a busy scene you really have to pick and chose what you want to include to get a feel for the busy atmosphere but not have a painting that is so overwhelming that you don't know where to look. 

The Bakery
Fluid Acrylic
24" X 24" image
$1395
31.5" X 31.5" brushed silver frame

Selected for the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society's
38th Annual International Juried Exhibition

Received an Honorable Mention Award
(All award recipients shown here)


I liked weaving lavender colors through the bakery to offset all the warm colors of the breads and wooden shelves. I think they also provided a nice way to include a sense of depth to the scene.

Generally I start most of my paintings working the full sheet as a unit and maybe toward the end I work final details one section at a time. However on some paintings I feel I need to work section by section from the start nearly to completion before moving on.  The Bakery was one of these paintings.  Perhaps because there was so much detail of the figures, bread, shiny reflective appliances in the bakery that I felt I have to pay attention to details nearly from the start.

When I work this way, I really have to pay attention to keeping a consistent feel throughout the painting and work so there are still restful areas that don't detract for the whole of the painting.  The images of some of the earlier steps of the painting are shown in earlier blog post to give you a sense of how it developed. I provided links to these other posts below.

At the end I needed to work around the whole painting to either subdue or enhance areas to make The Bakery hold together as one.
Interested in learning more about April's art inspirations, tips about her painting process, or art business tidbits? Want to know when her art is in exhibits? Consider joining her friends and collectors by signing up for her twice-monthly email.

Copyright April M Rimpo 2016 All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

#aprilmrimpoart
#hocoart, #hocoarts

Monday, July 3, 2017

Des Colores: Movement III 18" X 24" Fluid Acrylic

Movement III by April M Rimpo
Movement III
Acrylic
18" X 24" image


I love color.  I still think the lights and darks (value range) of a painting are the most important design element to make a painting work, but the colors can really make a painting sing.

Last year I experimented with a number of color combinations described in a book by Stephen Quiller, Color Choices: Making Color Sense Out Of Color Theory. This painting shows one combination that really appealed to me and I have now used several times: Lime Green, Orange, and Purple. Yes, there are touches of Pthalo blue as well, but it was used to create the Lime Green, so leaving a little of it felt right in this painting. There is not enough to alter the primary color combination I chose to use. 

This painting was about the energy and speed of the cyclists who were competing in a triathlon. The abstracted background added not just a fascinating backdrop to the cyclists but helped communicate their speed since it would out of focus and really a blur of color as they moved through the world. I admire cyclists and love to share their energy with others as part of telling their story. 

This painting has exhibited in the following exhibitions:

  • 26th Annual International Society of Experimental Artists (2017) Sanibel Island, Florida
  • 2nd Annual Online All-Member Juried Exhibition of the International Society of Acrylic Painters (2017)

Here are a couple other paintings where I used the same Lime Green, Orange, and Purple combination.

Cycling
Floral Wonderland
Sunset
Dancers
Shadows on the Path
Country II
Chicadee

Other paintings of cyclists
Movement Series
Cycling and Race


Click here to Contact April

Interested in learning more about April's art inspirations, tips about her painting process, or art business tidbits? Want to know when her art is in exhibits? Consider joining her friends and collectors by signing up for her twice-monthly email.

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

Saturday, July 1, 2017

25th Annual Colored Pencil Society of America International Exhibition


The Mansion at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland is hosting the Color Pencil Society of America International Exhibition through August 6, 2017. There are pieces by 119 artists on display throughout the mansion. The artists are from across the United States and from Australia, Greece, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Spain. 


Side Street by Katherine Thomas
I went with a fellow artist who also wanted to see this exhibit.  While driving there, I mentioned a pencil artist who I hoped had a piece in the exhibit because I think her work is so magnificent. When we entered the first room of the exhibit, there was her piece, Side Street. I couldn't have been happier. Having only seen her work online, it was fantastic to see it in person.  I was so pleased to see that it was even nicer than I imagined. My image (at right) does not do it justice. 

I was happy to see that another artist friend, Deborah Maklowski, is also included in this exhibit. In fact, I had recently seen her demonstrate colored pencil at a gallery where we both have work for sale. I believe her piece is the only abstract in the exhibit. The form and colors were magnificent and can't wait to talk to her about it.
Adrenaline by Jesse Lane


We wandered through the exhibit for nearly two hours stopping and examining the wide variety of subjects and techniques used by these artists. Some are huge and we wondered how many months they took to complete. Others are much smaller gems, done with such a delicate touch - conveying a soft, quiet beauty. Some used techniques we have never seen before and left us guessing how they were created.  

These artists also provided us with smiles or outright laughter through their titles. One depicts a hummingbird, all fluffed up and perched below an icicle. It is titled, "Shoulda Listened to Rufous, Thought Anna." 

As you can see, we were not the only people stopping and discussing the amazing pencil drawings in this exhibition. Adrenaline may have been the largest piece on display. The water splashes surrounding the man were frozen in space and time. 

These boys were actively engaged in the exhibit, while they wandered through with their mother. It was great to see such a young audience as mesmerized as we were.


Having done colored pencil work in my twenties I was in awe of the talent shown here. Some used the type of pencil stroke that I learned but others used such a light touch and smooth drawing surface that you couldn't see any strokes at all. If someone had told me they were air brushed paintings I would have believed them.

Enjoy the images I've shared here, but these barely scratch the surface of what you will see at this exhibit. If you can, you should make your way to see it yourself.







TheBachelorPad by MarshaGilger
 


Interested in learning more about April's art inspirations, tips about her painting process, or art business tidbits? Want to know when her art is in exhibits? Consider joining her friends and collectors by signing up for her twice-monthly email.

Most Popular Posts This Month

Most Popular Posts of All Time