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Friday, January 16, 2009

Tuscan Villa ATC


I approached this ATC in much the same way as the Crocus ATC (limited palette, keep it light, etc.) except that I departed even more from the original photo (I know, I'm getting to be a regular rebel). I like leaving the photo! Too long have I been a slave to The Original Reference (declaring my independence here!).


One thing I did differently. As suggested to me by Laure, I did this ATC on Arches Hot Press watercolor paper. It does have more tooth than the slick-as-glass Smooth Bristol. Color went on fairly smoothly, and overall I liked this surface. But I'm still experimenting. Next surface up for trial is the Colourfix sanded paper. I've never worked on a sanded support so I'm really looking forward to this and expecting good things. Hope I'm not disappointed.


Hubby's band is playing again this weekend so it will be busy. Stay warm and have a good weekend in your neck of the woods!

11 comments:

Laure Ferlita said...

Love your Tuscan village - have you been there?

I love the light light touch you are using. I must admit that I would love to see just a few well placed darks to make this pop - but that's just me!

Good for you for breaking away from the photo ref - hardest thing in the world to do, but oh, that taste of freedom is wonderful! Hope you have a great weekend as well!

Teresa said...

Hi Laure,

No, I haven't been there (sigh!). Did this as one of the cards in the Vacation Dream project that I'm involved in on WetCanvas. Would sure love to visit though.

Hmmmm... thinking over your comment about the "few well placed darks".... you have a good eye for such things.... will go back and look again. Thanks!!

Jan said...

Very beautiful and it looks warm there! lol

Good for you departing from the reference. I know I'm too much a slave to them and hope I can break free soon. I think it's a confidence thing.

Now that I've found you, I hope to visit here often!

Dave King said...

I'm with you - to hell with the original reference!

twincedar said...

Hi Teresa,
Stopped by your blog and just wanted to say hi. I am a fellow North Carolinian as well. Love your Tuscan Village!

Anonymous said...

Love the colors of Tuscany. Would love to go there too. I also find that using a limited palette results in a more harmonious painting.
Jean

Ann said...

This is lovely Teresa!

"JeanneG" said...

Just don't go back and over think it. Aren't you becoming a regular little art person and blog poster. Good to see you getting some done. Lovely.

Lin said...

SUPER SUPER JOB, Teresa!! I'm with you -- INDEPENDENCE FROM PHOTOS!!! AND THE LIGHT TOUCH -- EVER MORE DIFFICULT!! BRAVA! Have fun this w/e!!!

Teresa said...

Thank you all for your encouragement - much appreciated!

Hello Jan!
Thanks for stopping by again and I hope you do come back soon.

Dave: Love your resounding endorsement of my faithlessness to The Original Reference!

Hello Twincedar!
Glad you came to visit and hope you'll be back again.

Jean: I agree... I'm finding out that there's something very freeing about a limited palette. Wish I'd tried it sooner!

Ann: Thank you... you're such a positive encourager!

Laure and Jeanne:

Laure... I let the ATC sit for a few hours and decided you were on the money. I added a few darks. I tried to make sure they were "well placed" but I'll let you call that one! And Jeanne, bless your heart.... you've learned me well haven't you? While pondering the placement of those darks I did indeed heed your advice to avoid "over thinking" it. Your reminder helped. I put a few darks in and left it alone. The "old me" would have happily slapped darks all over until it resembled a Tuscan checkerboard! Thank you my friend!

Teresa Mallen said...

This is a delightful piece! Your decision to limit your palette works well here.

I hope you like Colorfix. Some cp artists find that it takes getting used to. It can eat your pencils and that can be a shock! But definitely worth trying! I am enjoying working on it on my current WIP. :-)

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