Effective Foregrounds
from Andy Evansen
Andy emphasizes the significance of effectively handling foregrounds in paintings. One key aspect he highlights is the need to avoid making the foreground too busy or distracting from the rest of the painting. Andy suggests that the foreground should not be treated as an afterthought, but rather decisions about it should be made early on in the painting process.
The subject of foregrounds is something that comes up in Andy Evansen’s course and many workshops. Many artists have questions about how to handle foregrounds without making them become too busy and too obvious. And, how to paint them so they do not take attention away from the painting.
You can either subdue the foreground, or use it to your advantage to enhance the painting. We should not always treat the foreground as an afterthought. You do have to decide a little early on what you're gonna do with it. A lot of that comes down to value studies, which is something Andy places a large importance on.
Sometimes, it's good to practice painting in big, simple shapes. Below, Andy kept the light in the painting and used the time-proven method of putting dark shadows in the foreground. By darkening up that area, it almost serves as a frame for the rest of the painting. When you darken these shapes and make them vague and in the shadows, it's going to attract more attention to the light in the rest of the painting. Looking at the painting again below, it's important to have that strong tree shape on the left. Then, the shadow across the bottom of the painting was very important to provide a window into the painting. If you can imagine what this painting would've looked like without that dark shadow and that dark tree, it would've been missing a lot. So even though it's basically one big strong simple L shape, it's still extremely important in this composition.
You can also see Andy’s little finger scratchings to indicate branches. You can tell that shadow brushstroke was put in very rapidly. With a couple of big, strong brushstrokes, you get that broken texture down there to help break it up so it's not too solid. It helps to make it look like grass. The shadows are breaking up on the blades of grass, and this is how the viewer can see it.
“You can either subdue the foreground, or use it to your advantage to enhance the painting. We should not always treat the foreground as an afterthought.”
Painting foregrounds is a pivotal aspect of creating depth and dimension in any artwork, whether it's a landscape, portrait, or still life. Begin by establishing a strong composition, considering the placement and scale of your foreground elements in relation to the rest of the painting. Pay close attention to detail, capturing the textures, colors, and shapes of objects in the foreground with precision. Utilize techniques such as layering and varying brushstrokes to add depth and shape to your foreground, creating a sense of proximity and tangibility. Remember to consider light and shadow, as they play a crucial role in defining form and adding dimensionality to your foreground elements. Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment and let your creativity flow, allowing your intuition to guide you as you bring your foreground to life on the canvas.
Andy Evansen’s mastery not only lies in his technical prowess but also in his ability to impart wisdom, guiding aspiring artists to unlock their own creativity and find their unique voice within the fluid medium of watercolor. Join Andy below.