Most artists paint a subject then move on to something else, but in our history many master artists, now recognized as great, often would paint the same subject many
times, giving each a new interpretation. French Impressionist Claude Monet was one of these. We know that he painted the same portion of Rouen Cathedral at least thirty times, each painting having a different color or light or weather interpretation.
Monet studied grain stacks from the same intention, producing at least twenty-five paintings in that series. Here are six of them. (Click on the image for a
larger view.)
Monet's work is a prime example of a non-ending curiosity about how light and weather change the way we see images. Rather than just seeing
the image one time from one viewpoint, his saw the image as a container for discovering possibilities.
Look at the differences I've circled among distant areas between the the haystacks! Values, colors, textures, even edges are totally
different from one another.
Set this up as a long term project.
- Find something outside, just a single image in an environment. Keep your choice simple so that you have time to give it adequate attention.
- Do a small study of this. Make a note of the weather, time of day, and location of the light source.
- Now is when the real fun begins. Next time you see a weather change, or a light change, do another study. Allow the project to extend over a period of several weeks. (Maybe twenty-five or thirty studies, if you want to be like Monet (❛‿❛✿̶̥̥) )
- NOTICE the value contrast changes, the hue changes, the intensity changes, the texture changes, when there are cast shadows, and when there are not. If you notice and study
just those changes, your mind will be blown with what you will discover.
- NOTE: You can do these studies by taking photos if you like, but a lot more will be revealed to you in plein air.
Enjoy a fun weekend of discovery!
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