Recession

Recently I posted a watercolor titled “The Street”.  It was taken from an old photograph I saw online.  I was thrilled when Patricia Anderson Chestnut, a classmate and Facebook friend commented, “I admire your talent as I can crawl inside a painting and wander around in the scene”.  A few comments later Bob Law, a business mentor of mine, commented, “I love the colors, the details, and the perspective.  Pulls me right in and takes me far, far away from the Arizona desert where I live.”  I so appreciate this feedback as it tells me I’m accomplishing what I set out to do. 

Recession is the “magic” that gives a piece depth.  The whole focus of recession is to draw the viewer into the picture itself.  When we look at an actual vista, we notice that the hills, trees and structures farther away are less defined and less clear.  In order to accomplish that result in a piece of art, we use lighter colors and definition in the backdrops of our presentation, and then applying darker colors as we approach the subject in the foreground. 

When doing a street scene, it is important to focus on perspective and create recession by the reduction in scale as well as the “crispness” of the colors.  I know this is important as Stewart Jennison, another school and Facebook friend noticed when I missed the mark on one piece I presented.  My desire, when completed, is to get the result Patricia and Bob shared with me, as well as accomplish the basics as Stewart noticed.  The feedback I get from friends who view my work is so helpful and much appreciated.