About Reservoir At Bradford
‘Reservoir At Bradford’ – This little watercolor study employs textures through the use of paint techniques and paper surface enhancement (absorbent ground). I find the landscape vistas offered while visiting the Bradford Reservoir Park interesting and always inspiring.
A Neutral Color Palette
I’m experimenting with moving away from the saturated colors typically found in my artworks. This little study is an example of the neutral-colors that I am now assessing. These palette colors (combined complementary colors) include:
- Sky Shades – Pyrrol Scarlet/French Ultra Marine; Quinacridone Rose/Alizarin Crimson/Winsor Newton Blue; Winsor Newton Green/Viridian/Winsor Newton Violet.
- Grassy Fields & Leaf Clusters – New Gamboge/Serpentine Green; Quinacridone Gold/Serpentine Green; Quinacridone Gold/Pyrrol Scarlet.
- Trees & Grassy Fields – Quinacridone Gold/Payne’s Blue Gray; Quinacridone Gold/Cobalt Blue; Winsor Newton Violet/Hooker’s Green; Payne’s Blue Gray/Winsor Newton Burnt Sienna.
- Bark & Pathways – New Gamboge/Winsor Newton Violet.
Not What Is, But What Could Be
In art, a study is a drawing, sketch or painting done in preparation for a finished piece, as visual notes, or as practice. [1] Studies are often used to understand the problems involved in rendering subjects and to plan the elements to be used in finished works, such as light, color, form, perspective and composition.[2] Studies can have more impact than more-elaborately planned work, due to the fresh insights the artist gains while exploring the subject. The excitement of discovery can give a study vitality. When layers of the work show changes the artist made as more was understood, the viewer shares more of the artist’s sense of discovery. (Wikipedia)
About the Artist
Russell Risko is a Graphic Designer, Illustrator and Fine Artist. During his 40-year career as a visual communicator, Russ achieved leadership roles as Art Director, Creative Director, Principal Partner and Ad Agency President. His work has appeared in countless regional, national and e-zine publications and website properties.
Today, Russ has entered the final chapter of his career, unfettered by the “need-it-yesterday” time constraints of the advertising and marketing world. Now in retirement, he has the opportunity to move beyond his commercial art past and exercise his fine art instincts, to give birth to new visual perspectives and to invest in the time necessary for such exploration.
Contact me on Instagram if you have any questions or interest in available artworks.