(Artisan oils on 9 x 12 canvas paper)
I mean waaaay out!
After attempting this street scene from San Francisco for the February Virtual Paintout I was reminded of why I've never been drawn to urban scenes. But that's the reason I chose a busy scene like this... to get me out of my comfort zone. How else will I learn?
My main goal with this was to (1) paint loose, fast and avoid detail, and (2) get some practice in simplifying a cluttered scene. Between deciding what to put in and what to leave out and using oils again after using mostly colored pencils, I'm sure I either have less hair or more gray hair. Plus, I got a colorful reminder that when you inadvertently lean your hand on an oil painting... the canvas isn't the only thing with paint on it.
I'm not happy with the finished painting, but I am glad that I finished it though tempted to toss it when I was struggling. I decided it might help if the painting was cropped, and after experimenting I narrowed it down to the top two crops you see, finally settling on the version at the beginning of this post.
I posted a couple of quick WIPs and just below them is the original photo I worked from. There are also two photos of my resident muse, Bailey, who you can tell from the first pic is not the least interested in doing his job and lending me any inspiration. In the second pic (after I disturbed his nap and got him to look at me and the camera) I got so tickled at the disgusted expression on his face that I just had to share it with you. Sorry Bail!
After this little venture I'll be happy to get back to rural landscapes, people and pets!
16 comments:
I think its bright and jolly and would make a lovely card. Its fun!
Oh ... can I have Bailey please? :o)
Good for you on
- getting out of your comfort zone;
- doing a complicated scene;
- in oils;
- and for finishing it!
Well done! And I do love that last pic of Bailey! He looks thoroughly miffed with you for disturbing his nap!!
Very nice and so glad you did one. It looks like you paint oils like a watercolorist leaving the whites. Did you paint it from light to dark?
Aw, you did so well. I agree with Sue, great card! The cat does look disturbed. :)
WONDERFUL, Teresa!! And in oil too!! I think you did a fabulous job simplifying the scene and rendering it beautifully!!!! I agree about street scenes -- the complexity!! BRAVA for you!
I join Laure in saying Well done Teresa! It's brave and exciting to try something different and stretch yourself - I hope you do it again! I like the repeat patterns of the trees, arches and tents, and your bright dabs of colour are very sunny and California.
It is good to artistically challenge yourself now and then isn't it? I love the way you have captured the light in the painting, especially on the trees. Your Bailey is a handsome boy! x
I admire you for challenging yourself....love the light in the painting as well. Sounds like me, I avoid architecture and people...one day.....love the kitty, soooo beautiful!
Wow, that is great! I didn't know that I could just visit your blog for my sunshine "fix". I love the colors and vibrant activity. Keep at it. Your kitty is sooooo cute.
Vicki
I really like it. I think urban scenes are very difficult. You did a nice job on this. You did a good job simplifying and the way you cropped it in the top photo is perfect. I agree with Vicki - your blog is my sunshine fix. By the way, today is the first day we've had sunshine in about a month here in the desert. What's up with that?
With four cats in this house, I've seen an expression like the one on Bailey's handsome face directed at me a time or two:)
That's a lovely painting. It looks textured too.
Your profile photo looks so different to your last one.
Hi Teresa.
I love this painting, it`s so colourful. Also the photographs, well done, and all the best.
Vic.
Wonderful, Teresa! Love the end result as well as the process. And the kitty's expression is priceless.
I think your paintings are simply wonderful. Bailey's definitely doing his job!
Good for you, Teresa! I know it's hard to leave your comfort zones but it always feels so good after a stretch! I like your scene with all the bright colors!
Poor Bailey! He does look really, really ticked off! Bu what unusual and beautiful markings!
Dan't toss it! I do the same thing -when I want another view of it, I place the painting somewhere else.
You might want to keep it as a reminder of where you started in this medium -I kept my little watercolor for 20 years and glad I did; I just did a rendition in oil of it.
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