Shoveling snow one evening, I realized how beautiful the streetlights were against the bare branches and swirling snow. This is my first try at recreating that feeling. It's not finished, but now I have a dilemma. It's taking a different direction than my inspiration, and there are things I like about it. So, do I follow its lead or risk ruining it by pushing for the nocturne I originally intended? I'll have to give it some thought, but my inclination is to let the painting have its way. I can always try another, right?
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| 10" x 14" |
Always listen when the painting starts talking to you. Take that photo and turn it upside down right now and don't look at it again, except maybe for some piddling details when you are close to being done. Forget what the painting is supposed to be, and just look at it the way it is now and take your cues only from the way it wants to go.
ReplyDeleteWhat I see now, and I didn't get from the photo, is the gushing forth from the lower left. The sidewalk and the roof are lines meeting right at that point. The trees are tousled by OMW's cold breath, the cars are heavy beneath the load of snow. Everything is a bit ragged because the storms are ragged. There is nothing really interesting about the cars and the school building in themselves, they are just props. Those branches are alive and so is the the jumbled snow on the left. Go with the painting Elaine. You still have the photo, you can always do a painting that looks like it at some later point. But for now stay in the now.
You know what I mean? That car at the bottom though is not with the program. It looks like it is turning into the street and it curves off the straight line that meets the end of the building on the far left.
Do another one. Streetlights in the dark are difficult and a lot of planning needs to be done. But don’t lose that swirling snow feeling. I think the logistics are fine. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
ReplyDeleteGo for the nocturnal look.you need more value contrast imo.
ReplyDelete