Following some expert advice from Roger and Keith (thank you both very much guys), I've done a few tweaks to this one. The main tweak is to the group of figures. The heights of the two girls and the relative proportions of them and between them was all wrong (stop rushing Michael). So I went back to the original reference photo and pretty much redid this section of the painting, including the reflections, which I'm still not happy with, although that's more to do with technique (or lack of it!) than anything else. I also adjusted the values and colours of the distant hills to soften them a little. Overall, I think it works pretty well now as a finished painting and I'm ready to start on my next one while this dries! Any suggestions for the next piece are welcome, although I do have a particular subject in mind already :)
I used W&N Artisan oil paints and long flat hog brushes throughout. My palette comprised French Ultramarine, Cobalt Blue, Indian Red, Viridian, Yellow Ochre and Raw Umber with tiny amounts of Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue, Lemon Yellow and Permanent Alizarin Crimson and bucket loads of Titanium White. I used a tiny amount of oil painting medium for some of the fine details.
I apologise for my later-than-usual responses to comments. Last night we went with friends to Newmarket in Suffolk for a spot of horse racing and betting, but mainly to see the one and only Tom Jones perform live. I watched him as a kid in the 60s with my Mum and Dad so this was truly magical for me. He still has an absolutely awesome voice and looks great - not bad considering he turned seventy last year!
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| Look Grandad! oil on canvas, 12" x 16" |
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Think I missed version I, but I like this one!
ReplyDeleteYes, better!
ReplyDeleteMichael, this may sound silly, but why are the reflections brown? Wouldn't it read better if they were a loose rendition of the people's skin and clothing?
ReplyDeleteThe changes you've made are great, btw!
Tom Jones - my mum used to love him too! Same age as him. She was most disappointed one year, I seem to remember when the Royal Variety on TV cut him off so you couldn't see his famous "wiggle" :)
I thought he was fab in Mars Attacks !
Sue, Judy and Pat - thank you!
ReplyDeletePat, light objects have dark reflections and vice versa. The colour in my photograph is a brown with a slight pink tinge in places so maybe I can work that in. It's not the value or colour that I think is wrong, it's the shapes.
Like the painting, did see the first one. Of course I thought it was good. but what do I know..
ReplyDeleteOMG I can't believe it... Tom Jones still going strong I've seen him in person twice.. here in Florida, and you say he still has that voice. Of course I was in 'love' with the sight of him, all women were, I have CD's of him and still am in awe of that voice. thanks for the memories...(no, I never threw underwear to him )but I saw plenty who did LOL .. BJ
This is now so much better Michael. I generally find it is a good thing to ponder on a "finished" painting for a while. Thoughts may arise on how the image can be further improved. Normally about three am !! At other times the final fermentation period allows mistakes to emerge and become glaringly apparent. In the heat and excitement of producing a finished painting these can often be overlooked by the artist. It's all a learning process. Never tried W&N Artizan paints but obviously you like them. I use W&N Alkyd Griffin which are relatively quick drying and are a boon to the impatient artist who hasn't got time to set a WIP aside for several days drying time.
ReplyDeleteGood work Michael.
ReplyDeleteI like this one.
ReplyDeleteBJ - thank you. I value your opinion - you're an expert! TJ was fabulous and sung his heart out as he always does. I hope I look half as good as he does at 70!
ReplyDeleteRoger - thank you for your help. Yes, I've hung it up on the wall in the 'studio' so I've now entered the 'pondering' stage!
Keith - thank you, especially for your help on this one.
Cora - thank you. Glad you like it.
Wow you have been busy! This painting is a biggie and very well done. I like the stance of the girl on the right. Can I make two suggestions for the next painting? I think a larger version of the cottage from Aug 6th would work really well. Also Wave Theory (16th Aug) -post holiday would be interesting to see.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael.
ReplyDeleteAn absolutely brilliant painting here my friend. I love it. Those figures are spot on mate. The shadows also look good enough to me.
It`s a winner Michael. All the best.
Vic.
Hi Lisa - thank you very much for your kind comments. I like the stance of the girl on the right too - I think her body language tells me that Grandad has a favourite! I have already started a second big painting (of a certain ruin in your vicinity!) but I like your suggestions and I've only sketched it in charcoal so far and may put it on hold :)
ReplyDeleteHi Vic. Thank you for your kind comments my friend, they are very much appreciated. Hope you got out with Harry again to paint this weekend!
Yes - I missed the first version too! This is GORGEOUS! The water looks so real and so inviting!
ReplyDeleteI might be tempted to add some very loose suggestions of reflections beneath the sail-boats if it were mine, but then again I have a habit of over working things :0)
Another great painting Michael. As for TJ, I don't need to wait until I'm 70 .... I always have looked half as good as him. (Damn it!!!) ;-)
ReplyDeleteSandra - wow, thank you! I'm so pleased you like it. I'm not sure about the boat reflections but I'll certainly add it to a list of things to check/do :O)
ReplyDeleteJohn - thank you very much! I read your comment and Sandra's while I was out dog walking in my lunch break and your comment on TJ made me just lol in public :O)
Michael it's a lovely painting. I agree with Pat and Sandra about the reflections. I think there should be some color in the reflections on the water especially since the little girl has such a strong patterned shirt. Just make sure you reference your photo and think about where the sun is when you dot he reflections on the boats. Sounds like you had a good time, I've seen Tom Jones live and in person, it's been probably 12 years ago. He is quite the entertainer.
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie. Thank you very much for your kind comments and for stopping by! Yes, I hope to be revisiting the reflections so watch this space ;) I've seen some great performances over the years but Tom Jones was right up there at the top with the likes of The Who, Journey and Bob Seger :O)
ReplyDeleteSo okay Michael , I totally agree with our friend Vic, this painting is BRILLIANT!!! Sorry I am so late in arriving, it's been a busy week. And if I can say one more thing, love your handling of oils, you are a natural.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you,
Joan
Thank you very much indeed for your kind comments Joan. Hope your week is settling down now so you can get some painting and blogging done :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful Michael! I really love the gesture you've captured with these figures, they look alive! Nice work. :) And wow Tom Jones?! So cool. :D
ReplyDeleteHi Crystal, thank you ever so much for your lovely comments. Yes, Tom Jones was definitely a wow to see live!
ReplyDeleteI usually work with quick sketches, so for me the first version was already a very good work! This second version demonstrates that it could be even better! I always appreciate artists - as well as people in general - who are open to advices and suggestions, I think they have a precious quality for improving themselves.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Lucia. Your 'quick sketches' are so beautiful and say so much, and your work has been an inspiration to me long before I started blogging!
ReplyDeleteI found it a little difficult to receive critique and suggestions when I was so used to posting quick sketches and getting 'simpler' comments. I think you're right and I hope I have improved as an artist by listening to advice and suggestions. I hope to return to quick sketching again soon ;)