How to Paint Wood

Mark Branscum · 10-10-2002, 10:52 AM

OK, here is the new topic! I would like to recreate the wood effects found in this painting.

http://www.morganweistling.com/gallery1/reflection.html

If you were to also look at his other paintings in the galleries - his wheel barrows I like as well.

Any tips?

Mark

Morgan Weistling · 10-10-2002, 06:40 PM

Mark,

I was told to go to this Forum and answer your question. Well, the wood on that barrel was painted with no extra thought than anything else in that painting. I don't believe in using "techniques" that work for different effects. What that does is create a painting full of formulas rather than observation. I paint what I see in front of me. And more specifically, I paint that light that I see and interpret it in as a simple way a possible. When I was painting that one, as I do on all my paintings, I squinted down and observed what the most obvious things that stood out on that barrel were. The light and shadow pattern and any values that peeped out strong enough for me see while I was squinting. I noticed that there were many vibrating cools and warms in the barrel and made sure to include that for a touch of realism. But everything is suggested and never defined.

How do you do that? Squint. That's the big tool I use. Don't think about wood. Don't think about faces. Don't think about trees. Just see shapes, values, edges, one against another, like a puzzle, and paint what you see, and not what you know or think you need to know.

Michael Georges · 10-10-2002, 07:18 PM

Morgan:

Welcome to our Forum! I admire your work, and I love the quality of life and light you capture. I hope you will come by now and again to inspire us!

Mari DeRuntz · 10-10-2002, 10:54 PM

Mr. Weistling, you've said it as clearly as possible. Thank you for the reminder.

Quote:

(How do you do that? Squint. That's the big tool I use. Don't think about wood. Don't think about faces. Don't think about trees. Just see shapes, values, edges, one against another, like a puzzle, and paint what you see, and not what you know or think you need to know.)

Karin Wells · 10-10-2002, 11:16 PM

Morgan, I am so glad that you joined us here. If you care to share the information, I would like to know more about your methods and materials.

Mark Branscum · 10-11-2002, 01:28 AM

Wow, when I posted this I didn't even consider the one whose painting moved me to post would answer.

You, Sir, are fast becoming my favorite artist.

I, over the last few days, have spent hours just going over every painting, looking at what you have done, how you handle light and shadow and such.

Awesome stuff...Yes ,you are right, and I will get the squinter tool to work and practice.

I have been meaning to ask my brother if you all ever met out there in Phoenix.

He is a pencil artist as well as painter, and did the bronze in the Paradise Valley Mall called The Three Graces.

Anyway, it was just a thought...thank you for responding.

Mark

Steven Sweeney · 10-11-2002, 09:57 AM

Mr. Weistling,

Welcome to this active and interested community of portrait artists, professional and aspiring.

I hope your first advices will be taken very much to heart by all who seek to discover the "secrets" of painting not only wood, but drapery (including satin effects), hair, fleshtones, cabernet in a wineglass, and all the other nameable objects. The "secret" is to learn to look, to see what's there, and not what you think you know is there, what you think you know that object looks like based on previous observation of other wood, hair, eyes, and so on.

I hope, too, that many will take to heart your admonition to squint. There's no better way to simplify and to see what's important.

Again, welcome. Your expert contribution is gratefully received.

Denise Hall · 10-11-2002, 01:16 PM

Morgan,

Loved the article in the American Artist Magazine and your wonderful paintings. I especially appreciated the sequence of the steps of your painting. I have a strong tendency to paint "inside out" as some people like to call it and am continuously fighting it. Start with the big shapes and work to the small - they shout!!

I love to see your middle values melting into the shadows and highlights.

Please drop in often and I will always look for your paintings to help keep me inspired to keep on the sunny side.

Sincerely,
Denise

Renee Price · 10-11-2002, 08:43 PM

This seems to be a "welcome Mr. Weistling" thread and my post will be no different! I was very impressed by your website and appreciated the step by step you provided for three of your paintings--how brave you are for painting so directly! I love the fact that you suggest detail without becoming a slave to every eyelash. If you would care to share more information, I would like to know your palette and the brushes that you use.

Renee Price

Morgan Weistling · 10-14-2002, 02:10 AM

Thank you to all of you for welcoming me to your Forum. I appreciate your kind comments and am impressed with this site. I will check in from time to time and take a peek at what is happening now.

Happy painting everyone!
Morgan