The Creative Life - Barbara Trovillo

Learning to "see".    Everywhere I go, I am composing. Unconsciously, I will catch myself thinking, "how would I mix that color?" or "how would I frame that scene?"   I take many photos wherever I am. Lots of photos. Even as I snap the picture, I am thinking, "how would I paint that?"   Sometimes, I am drawn to views that can be considered "weird". They are certainly unconventional.   Recently, while visiting the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, I was drawn to the dappled light on the water in the Reflecting Pool. I took many pictures of the water and of the views around the pool. I [...]

                                 I have been concentrating on value and composition this year. During a critique, these things were pointed out to me as weaknesses in my work.   Every spring, I endeavor to capture the grace of the peach trees in blossom. This year was no different. The painting on the left is the original, unedited version. It was okay, but had no "wow" factor. After putting it aside for a bit, I came back to it. I was able to vary the values enough to bring the painting to life.   The [...]

Let me begin by saying, your canvas or board must be primed before painting. This is necessary to protect them from rot and preserves your work. I buy my surfaces already primed, but you can also prime them yourself using gesso.    Toning is a completely different subject. It is not imperative to Tone canvas or board before beginning, but there are advantages to doing it. I prefer to paint on a surface that has been toned. In my case, I often use orange, or yellow, or some combination of the two. In the past I have used red to tone. Some people [...]