At times, I like to challenge myself creatively by setting an interesting problem to solve and one of my favorite choices is painting diptychs. I enjoy painting them because each of the two paintings must work compositionally and create a third painting with the combination of the two.
Besides the compositions, the colors of each painting must also balance. When I’m painting landscape diptychs, I like to use the various branches of the trees to form a pattern, leading the viewer’s eyes from one painting to the other. I also use the pattern of leaves in the same way.
MORE VARIETY POSSIBLE
Besides being an enjoyable challenge, diptychs are practical for shipping and provide more display possibilities. The paintings can be hung right next to each other, separated by several inches, or even hung in a corner, providing a “wrap-around” effect. I try to paint a couple of diptychs a year to give more variety to my collection of work.
SUSAN COMERFORD’S PAINTINGS
Because of the limited space in my studio, I haven’t attempted a triptych yet, but my friend Susan Comerford not only paints spectacular, large diptychs, but also triptychs and creates Oregon landscapes with amazing depth. Her diptych, “The North Umpqua, Oregon” is 72″ x 48″ and her triptych, “Swiftwater Autumn” is 72″ x 72″. Her work can be seen on her website www.susancomerford.com and at the Portland Art Museum Rental/Sales Gallery.
My most recent acrylic diptych, “Autumn Light” 36″ x 72″, shown here, is also at the Rental/Sales Gallery.
