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| Watercolour on 140lb 300gsm knot paper |
This view I thought would make an interesting subject for a painting, but rather than the view of the lighthouse, I wanted to focus on the people that add so much interest to this shot. Eventually I narrowed the framing right down to the cluster of folk on the right. But this meant that the lady in a green top and black skirt was looking out of the picture - not good composition wise, so I mirrored her figure to face the right using Paint Shop Pro. Also, the boat mast in the centre rather cluttered up the scene so I used my artistic licence here and left it out.
Now the scene was set, I spent a couple of hours trying to get the drawing right, then another three sessions with the painting. Unusually for me, I painted the initial layer of all the figures first, and at the next paint stage added the form and shading. I'm pretty pleased with the way the couple on the right and lady on the left turned out, but goofed somewhat with the centre figures.
For the sky and chimneys I ventured for the first time in wet-on-wet technique and I have to say that this a lovely feeling how the colours mingled together here. I also got quite a buzz from adding the final details to the buildings with things like the window panes and shading. Seeing it all come together at the end is a marvelous feeling.
Suming up, I have mixed feelings about the work. There are certainly some mushy bits like the centre figures and other bits where I've surprised myself with things like the tall chimneys and young man on the right. This is also one of the few paintings I've done this large - full A3. So maybe I'll say its good, but 'could do better'.
Frank, this is a beautifully captured scene. The light background buildings highlight the two main figures in the foreground. Frankly speaking I am scared of attempting so many people together that too in such a large size.
ReplyDeleteThanks AK, when I'm painting people, I find it best to keep the background a little subdued, though I feel that my watercolours are a bit too light really, but I'm working on that one.
ReplyDeleteYour new painting has a great holiday casual atmosphere ...a feel good, feeling ... I really like it.
ReplyDeleteThe man with the back pack looks especially well done ... says she, who has never done any watercolour painting!!
Well I think it's great. I love the way you've captured the people in their everyday life. Very cool! Also, you've got great details here without going overboard, just enough to set the scene and tell the story. Nice work :)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Frank - I love it!!! Not taking anything away from your painting skills but I am particularly impressed with the composition. I know I would have tried to paint the whole scene, lighthouse and all, but you're careful cropping of just one area of interest has created a much more enjoyable painting. It has lot's of interest and is a painting one can gaze into time after time after time. Kudos!!
ReplyDelete@Alice - maybe if you tried watercolour, you might get hitched?
ReplyDelete@Crystal - thanks, I have a fascination in painting people now, where before this year, I always steered clear of including people in my paintings. It's like a bug.
@John - thanks for the comment. I think the composition thing came about through my love of photography ever since I was big enough to hold a camera, always looking at things from a different perspective before pressing the shutter. Then in the darkroom I would zoom in on little areas of interest.
This is fabulous, Frank! I am always drawn more toward paintings with people in them and you've done a great job with yours. I especially love the couple on the right, walking away--so well captured! And excellent decisions regarding the composition!
ReplyDeleteRaena, the guy with the rucksack in the couple on the right was fairly straightforward to do, but I had a little problem with his companion. She is wearing a black dress, which did not show any shading in the photograph, so this ended up looking somewhat flat in the painting.
ReplyDeleteFrank, I have been thinking about starting a thread on composition in my forum but have struggled to find a suitable subject to discuss. Would you have any objection if I used your photo and painting as the topic (with suitable credits to your goodself, of course)?
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful Frank .. very nice indeed! Like Alice I particularly like the two main figures to the front .. well done!! :)
ReplyDelete@John, no objections - go ahead.
ReplyDelete@Ingrid - thanks for the encouragement. You put me in a great frame of mind for the first session of a new art course tonight.
I like this painting because there is a lot of life in it. I enjoyed looking at all of the people! By the way, I just LOVE your new profile picture! Lol!
ReplyDeleteSandra, what I noticed before when doing landscapes or buildings, while they may look nice, they sort of lacked something. Being now bold enough to add people, I think this human element adds much more interest to the scene.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, the new profile pic was just a bit of fun really, a self characture! You can see the the full version here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankbingley/4817643437/
Lovely painting. I really like the way you used the wet-on-wet technique with the sky and chimneys. The hazy looseness of it really creates a feeling of distance. Also, excellent composition.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Angela, yes, I think I need to experiment with wet on wet a little more to see where it takes me.
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