More about Alex Powers

"Sheila in White"

Watercolor, 15x20," c. Catherine Vines

   

After writing about Alex Powers (see Monday's blog: "Pretty in Pink"), I thought I would post a watercolor where I tried to use his design concepts. In this case, I am referring to movement through the rectangle. I used the lightest values to carry the viewer's eye in a U-shaped movement.

It says something to me about how hard it is to digest new information that I have never tried to translated these concepts into other mediums. Another challenge, as if learning about color relationships wasn't enough!

Pretty in Pink

"Pretty in Pink"

Oil on canvas, 6" sq.,  c. Catherine Vines

This little girl (she is a girl, don't you think?) is actually a figurine from the thrift store. I brought her home and just starting painting. Unfortunately, I didn't really think about her placement on the canvas.

The author of my very favorite book on design, Alex Powers, emphasizes designing your painting rather than just putting shapes in a [rectangle]. His book, "Painting People in Watercolor," is relevant regardless of the medium and I highly recommend it. Now I need to go back and reread it!