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[peter]

OK - horizons...............I know the technical way is to soften a horizon where it meets the sky, but what do you prefer? This mainly refers to sea/ sky horizons where there isn't a lot of difference in colour.

[Helz]

When I work with gouache, it's definately hard.. but that's cos the images tend to be harder edged anyway.

When I work with watercolour, definately softer.

How bout you Peter? Are you a hard guy or a big softie! H x

[peter]

..............bit of both really.........

[Helz]

that's the joy of being creative, we can be what we want! H x

[Wendy]

Haven't painted any horizons in anything other than watercolour and I always get a hard line anyway (cos I am still learning) howver a soft horizon I think works better in watercolours but that's only from what I have seen in other peoples work. Referring to sky and horizon meeting that are similar in colour I would have thought a harder line anyway because otherwise you wouldn't really be able to distinguish between the two, but still what do I know.

Wendy xx

[peter]

I think I've just figured something out - if the moonlight is on the water, that would create a (hard) contrast, softening towards the (darker) edges of the painting. Anyone agree?

[Helz]

I think you are right Peter. Moonlight paintings are really hard, trying to combat the shades as well the hard / soft contrasts are a challenge! I love the palette you've chosen, it's got a "scandinavian" feel to it.

At the moment it looks like the sea and the sky have continuous depths of colour. Are you thinking of blending into darker shades away from the moonlight? H x

[peter]

..........I am now.

[Deco]

peter, on Oct 25 2005, 11:04 PM, said:

I think I've just figured something out - if the moonlight is on the water, that would create a (hard) contrast, softening towards the (darker) edges of the painting. Anyone agree?

I also agree Painting horizons isn't an easy thing indeed, but I like a lot
what you've painted Think the most important thing is to manage to capture
the depth when you paint horizons, cos the horizon is actually an imaginary subject,
it worked very well on your painting

[hawkwood]

Ditto
look again at your horizon line (you may have done this deliberatly so feel free to ignore me if you did) it looks to me like there is a dip in the center of the horizon which is something that would only occur if we are living on a dyson sphere

[peter]

That's the photo! I assure you I used straight masking tape!

[housedoc]

well done Peter. I think 'blended' works well with most 'sea/sky' pictures - as long as you still give it 'depth'. I have never used 'masking tape' to define my seas and skys - I would say it would be a personal choice when you look at a painting how you would like to define the sea and the sky whether you like a 'dead straight line' or a 'blended' one - rough sea - calm sea - raging sky - calm sky !! Personally I prefer a 'blended' one but in fact both can work equally as well

[Helz]

Hi Peter, how's this one coming along? H x