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Thursday, June 19, 2014

I Painted ALLLLL Day ... to Bruno's Relief

I left the monks/geese at this point last night ...

... then today I painted all day, save for breaks to feed beasties, and to vent my frustrations with 2 hours of guerilla weed-whacking in the back yard. When I looked at this in the morning, the background looked too anemic, so I wet the sky and added more color, then when dry, also wet the mountains and forest and ruins in front and added more color again. I did the monks robes both all over wet-in-wet, and with some dry bush detail. And gave them legs and heads - good to have!

This photo and the one above look very different as to background - I think if you can imagine a blending of the two of them, that will be close as far as color and value.
I did more all-over washes of their robes and satchels with quin. sienna, darkened their legs and heads, and now I am undecided. I do like the orange, but am wondering if it gives enough of an impression of their being back-lit by an early morning sunrise? I'd like to keep the focus toward their feet, because for me the painting is about a pilgrimage, and I see that as walking. Would darkening the bodies a lot take away from that idea? Anyway, I'll put this aside for now, and work on the calf ...

Thank you for dropping by! Your comments are always welcome.  

8 comments:

  1. How do you do this!! We can feel each step the monks are taking,, as they walk,, its like they are here--- right in front of us,,, ohhhhh this is going to be good,,, we know it!
    love
    tweedles

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  2. Love the colors! It's just beautiful!

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  3. I see your dilemma, darken the robes or not, but I have no answer for you. The shadows are fantastic!

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  4. It's coming along beautifully, Kathryn. This is why they say "walk away" and when you get back to the painting you see what has to be changed... LOVE the shadows!

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  5. I think the middle one is wonderful!
    That deep orange sings of the dusty heat! Perfect! :0)

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  6. Soory if I'm not back here as often as I would like, but... Bravo again, and special bravos also for the Knight and the Goose family! :-)

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  7. Oh, gosh, Kathryn - I could not say! As an oil painter, I paint all over the canvas, always evaluating how one stroke compares to the one it is next to as far as value, hue, intent, etc. I am a complete novice at understanding the planning and thought process that goes into watercolor. But I do know this- you paint so beautifully that surely you will make the right decision!

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  8. The work of the creases in their ropes is great , really coming along well , and I agree, heads and legs are good to have :-)) xx

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