Listening to Felix Scheinberger

/ Michael Richards (certainline)
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Cherries I (Grazalema) (A5 sketchbook page, ink and watercolour, 2016)

In painting terms, it didn’t go as smoothly as planned on our Andalusian holiday. Although I have Felix Scheinberger’s book on watercolour to hand where he warns specifically against it, I was too focussed on the ‘finished’ picture instead of what he eloquently calls enjoying the 100 small steps on the way.

Then one day the owner of the cottage where we were staying (near Grazalema) left us a plate of fresh cherries. Their various shades of red – from deepest blood to an almost yellowy orange – begged to be painted, not in any mimsy, nineteenth century Sunday afternoon sort of way, but boldly and loosely, enjoying some of the 100 small steps.

So here are two, painted in the shade of an Andalusian summer’s day, noting once again that it just needs some small inspiration – a gift of cherries – and hearing what the masters have to say.

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Cherries II (Grazalema) (A5 sketchbook page, ink and watercolour, 2016)

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38 thoughts on “Listening to Felix Scheinberger”

  1. I love the boldness of both paintings but I have to say the randomness of the first one really captures my attention. I love the depth, the shaping, the shadows, and even the hints of what is unseen. I think I would like reading Felix Scheinberger as 100 small steps seems to be the way I approach art myself. These are great way to wake up on the first morning of summer.

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    • Thanks, LuAnne. I painted the second one because I love a grid! Felix Scheinberger’s book is available in English but I’m sure I’ll be posting more based on his practice over the coming weeks. It’s so full of good sense. This morning I read section about using colour to enhance the narrative element of the painting to which I want to return.

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      • That sounds interesting. I can’t even imagine what the narrative element of painting much less how color could enhance it but I am looking forward to your future posts on this topic to learn.

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  2. I love both those cherry paintings! The bold way you have painted them! very cool! And yes, sometimes we just need the right inspiration to trick us into creating through play, instead of labour. 🙂

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  11. I need constant reminders about enjoying the 100 steps along the way. I LOVE these cherry paintings! The juxtaposition of the rough paper again the smoothness of some of the strokes and the nature of the cherries produces just the right amount of tension in the otherwise happy and sunny subject matter.

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  19. Pingback: One small step | A Certain Line

  20. I love both paintings, but the first especially–that quick, bold stroke of blue and then the soft spatters of blue, add so much. I’m reminded of that famous Zen painting of the six persimmons–so simple, and yet it says so much.

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