The Battle Is Engaged ... or ... I've Started the Bridge

This is the monster, with first washes, showing its size  13 x 30 inches.

I decided to go moody and broody  with the background. It might be a bit of a reflection of my mood, or that I just don't see and feel about Vancouver the way I did when I was living there. It just seemed trite to paint the bridge with a glowing sunset. Maybe next time ... 

I've started blocking in the shadows, using quin. pink, quin. burnt orange and indanthrone.

And I couldn't resist trying another sketch of "The Prince" aka Julian.

And a small narcissus, to play with later.

I was thrilled to get an email from Pat Elliot. She and her husband love Missy's portrait so much, Missy will be flying over the ocean to stay with them :) I just have to touch up the ear color, as the photo didn't show the color well.

As always, your comments are most welcome.

Bete Noire

It really is a lovely, art nouveau styled bridge - the colors at sunset are glorious. 

Started out with some very, very thin washes ...   

then drizzled in some more of the same colors, a bit  more dense ...

Made the mistake of darkening the water TOO much

Played with this small version, to see if more vibrant colors would work ...

not bad, once I get the shadows in ...

This painting has become the bane of my artistic self. I so much want to do something vibrant and different. I've been reading up on landscapes, looking at landscape artists I love [ Michael Reardon and Thomas Schaller are at the top of my list.] I do believe I am even dreaming about painting it! I have these wonderful ideas floating around in my head, and when I try to put them to paper ... YUCK! But I have another plan, simpler in a way than what I've been trying, so we shall see.

As always, your comments are welcome and much appreciated!

So Far, So Good ...

I've started on the goose. And for the background, I put in a wet, thin wash of aureolin, and then drizzled thin strips of a green mixture with vertical strokes to suggest grass.

This photo, and the ones below, are some references I'd like to use for the Vancouver scene. It's of the Burrard Street Bridge,  one of three bridges connecting Vancouver south with the downtown core. For me, the view of the water, the mountains and the old bridge give a strong sense of the city. I like the softening effect of the fog.

Slightly different angle, and I LOVE that old ship in front.

I'd like to get the colors of sunset in the painting.

Another angle. I like the feel this photo creates of looking up at the massiveness of the bridge.

Vancouver really is beautiful - over-developed, but beautiful.