The Amazing Baloon Act

I'm not sure where (or when exactly)  this painting came from, possibly a combination of doodles and abstract ideas. It is a good example of how I sometimes combine the landscape technique with abstract. The landscape was no doubt inspired by some of the sunset work I have done on location.  As for the poor guy in the basket, he's probably wondering where the baloon went.

The colour scheme for this one is for the most part a purple-yellow complementary scheme. Generally speaking you want to have some kind of colour balance, red-green, blue-orange or purple-yellow, you can also do triads (three colours) if you have a colour wheel. Personally I try not to think about it too much, rather, I listen to my instinct... the colours are a way to convey your emotion. In this painting the overall feeling is sombre and everything in it contributes to that feeling... the colours are mellow, the tree has no leaves, the man has his shoulders down, and most of the lines are smooth and flowing. I was probably feeling sombre at the time. Whether you plan it or not, it is important to try and match your emotions with the theme of the painting, if you can do it, the veiwer will not just see, but understand. Sounds like a fortune cookie.

5x7" cold press watercolour, 2007