I've been having an awful time trying to replicate the brightest orange/magenta highlights in the clouds, and at the last minute out of frustration I drew a large soft brush across the upper left sky. Now it's a mess and I will have to go back yet again to pick out the detail.
In this very early stage, I'm trying out different color mixes and trying to establish where the lights and darks are going to go. There doesn't seem to be a way to create the luminous, otherworldy turquoise that I want with the pigments I have, but I'll see if I can get something close.
Three from the America series:
I'm still annoyed about having to run all over the place yesterday, so I put in a little extra time late this afternoon on:
All of yesterday was a washout, as far as getting work done goes. Today I'm back in the studio, and have spent the last three-and-a-half hours painting.
Here's today's progress:
It's good to have something done. I've promised myself not to start anything new until I get at least one more piece finished.
More details and some glowing yellow light on the tablecloth:
Moving along:
Rojo, New York City Short Stories, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
And I added some details on the car and the community bulletin board:
At some point, it's time to take the painting off the easel, prop it up against a wall on the other side of the room, and spend the next couple of days figuring out what needs to be changed, or which direction to go in next.
Here are some pieces I worked on earlier today:
Elbo Room, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
A Rainy Night In Alexandria, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
At this point, it makes sense to start at the top of the piece and work down, refining wobbly lines and adding contrast, moving over an inch or two each session.
...and so, I squeezed out some colors and got back to work. Next week is going to be busy, and there are three (at least three) errands that will take me out of the studio.
But I wanted to play with the bright color on Doug's shirt and cap. He will be an eye-catching addition to the series.
It's been an unusually productive week, so I'm feeling like I've earned a weekend.
This one is coming down to the wire! The figures need a little detail, and I think I should darken (subtly) some corners on the red sign.
And while this needs much work, it's coming along. I darkened the shadows on the wall and added some lights to the chairs.
The upper right-hand corner was crying out to be finished; I've been working so hard on other areas and it was time to resolve it; sometimes with a large canvas it's not easy to get into those distant corners. Anyway, I added a few touches here and there. And now nearly everything I've done this week is wet so I don't know what to work on.
Despite a late start, I worked on 5 separate pieces today, and made good progress on all of them. I'm especially pleased with the way the figure has developed in A Rainy Night In Alexandria; it has almost a photographic realist sense now. I've never done quite as well with a figure before... Well, maybe Night Coming On...
The day started off with:
I finally overcame my fear of placing the hanging baskets on the right side, and filled in some areas that were bare.
This one also took some courage. I rubbed off the entire face with sandpaper and then started over again. It's nowhere near done, but it's much better now. I enjoy working on this one of a healthy man (note pink in cheeks) who loves living his life. It will be a nice addition to the America series.
Ah, today's winner. I'm very happy with the subtleties on the figure. And I didn't like the tails on the raindrops, so I eliminated them.
Since art school, there is little that makes me happier than adding layer upon layer of Alizarin Crimson. But I also worked on the turnstile bars today.
Tried to marry the wood colors in the counters with glazing. I think it worked.
Looking forward to tomorrow!
I guess I've gotten back into the normal swing of things; I worked on four pieces today (three of them here) and feel like I'm making progress.
Baby Needs Shoes, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
As with Woodside Lake, I'm not sure how much more Baby Needs Shoes needs.
Finally, I'm getting to be more productive. With fewer distractions, I can get a lot done; unfortunately, I'll have to deal with outside matters all the rest of the week.
Today: Is this done? I don't really know. I've softened some edges and tried to pay attention to form. I'll give it another day or two.
Next, some color/value adjustments:
Elbo Room, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
Also, the perspective is a bit off.
And on to:
It's a shame I won't be able to reproduce the shimmering aquas and turquoises in the reference photo. Some pigments just cannot be made as vivid as I would like.
Is this done? I can't tell.
