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Winter 2018 DVSA – Even More Exploring Landscape with the Group of

Seven Instructor: Diana Gordon diana@dianagordon.com

CLOUDS

Topics: Cloud Types; Tonal Value of Clouds; Clouds in Linear Perspective-

Clouds as Boxes; Different G7 Approaches to Clouds;

Prefixes: Cirro = wispy, feathery, Alto = mid altitude Strato= layer Nimbo = rain Cumulo= heap

https://www.slideshare.net/KellaRandolph/cloud-classification-and-characteristics

CLOUDS, especially Group of 7 clouds, have a lot to teach us about the Fundamentals of Landscape

Painting. Clouds reveal types of weather conditions, time of day, season, wind strength and wind

direction – all of which tell a story. A Calm Sunny Day. A Violent Relentless Rainstorm. A Gentle

Snowstorm.

Tom Thomson (AGO) Cumulonimbus clouds Clouds are Shapes – often both Linear and Curvilinear They can have Active Shapes (diagonals) or Passive Shapes (horizontals).

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Tonal Value of Clouds .

Being reflective, sky-shapes, their

relative values lie on the WHITE SIDE of the Greyscale

How dark the underside of a cloud is – depends on the amount of water it is carrying and the angle of light source (the sun).

To show the SHAPE of a cloud – use a Gradation of Values from a relatively Medium value to a relatively

Light value.

Many Group of 7 artists simplified this to a relatively darker linear brushstroke under a medium value

stroke under a lighter value brushstroke. Keep values on the White Side of the Greyscale.

Compare 2 Lawren Harris paintings with organic- shaped clouds

Note graduated sequence of light, medium and darker values to create shape of each cloud. Note size of each cloud shape – how they diminish in size as they approach the Horizon Line. Largest cloud appears closest, smallest appears

further away. (Diminution in Linear Perspective)

Question: Why is the lightest part on top of clouds in one painting and on the underside of the clouds in the other?

Where is the Light Source?

What time of day is it?

Lawren Harris North Shore Lake Superior 1926, National Gallery of Canada (NGC)

Lawren Harris Ice House, Coldwell, Lake Superior 1922, Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH)

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Tom Thomson Storm Clouds Algonquin Park 1916 Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)

Greyscale Tonal Analysis of Thomson’s Storm Clouds

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Clouds in Linear Perspective

Artist’s eye level = Horizon Line

Vanishing Point(s) - the point or points on the Horizon Line where 2 or more parallel lines, if

extended, appear to converge

Image: ryanvince-photo.com Top Lit Clouds - the Group of 7 DID NOT use a one-point perspective like

this. However it shows that the trees get smaller with distance, the lines of the tree tops converge

DOWN, the river shorelines converge UP

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Clouds as Boxes

We can imagine the rocks as a series of receding boxes. Harder to recognize that the clouds are also

receding boxes.

1. The underneath part of the cloud is closest to the earth and viewer. It is darker because the

direct sunlight hits the unseen top of the cloud.

2. We now see the side of the box cloud but far less of the darker underneath part.

Above Image: Rob Stimpson Canadian Geographic (Wawa).

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The Stimpson photo is like a Group of 7 horizontal style of composition.

Upper Side lit Clouds forming rows of alternate darker and lighter bands. Widest dark band is

the cloud near top which is closest to the viewer. Very narrow bands further way as clouds

approach horizon line.

By using Box shapes as the simplified geometric shape of clouds – we can better see and

understand how these principles work in any Group of 7 Landscape

Clouds can form directional lines. The line between these two values in a cloudy sky can be used as a Directional Line pointing to a

Focal Point(s). Note energetic diagonal lines in clouds below.

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Different G of 7 Approaches to Clouds

Lismer - detail Jackson - detail Carmichael- detail

Here are 3 different applications of paint

an Impressionist style of paint dots and complementary colours in Lismer;

A “painterly” linear approach in Carmichael and Jackson.

Note all the same Landscape Painting principles apply

1. Tonal value changes to create cloud shape.

2. Perspective in size and contrast:

a. Closer clouds are larger and/or darker and/or more relative contrast and/or

more detail.

b. More of the underside shows in the closer clouds. Farther clouds are narrower

or smaller and less contrast as they approach the Horizon Line.

3. Clouds form Active or Passive lines and shapes

4. Clouds can serve as directional lines pointing to the main actors and supporting actors

(focal points)

I've looked at clouds from both sides now From up and down and still somehow

It's cloud's illusions I recall I really don't know clouds at all…. Joni Mitchell

End of Cloud Review Notes….D Gordon Winter 2018