For me, the appeal of my chosen subject is in the way the egret stands out in stark contrast as it emerges into the sunlight from the dark shadows of the rock wall.
I'm painting the rocks with muted colours, using dark shades of Cobalt Blue and Burnt Sienna, tending towards cooler mixes of the two colours in the background. I may warm up the foreground with some glazes of Burnt Sienna to accentuate the coolness of the background rocks, but I'll deal with adjustments such as this in the final stages. There's a way to go yet and the photograph leaves a lot to be desired, but you can get an idea of where I'm at and hopefully a feel for what I'm trying to achieve.
Cheers
Pete
14 comments:
More rocks Peter! Wow, you are brave. It's already looking awesome!
Thanks Colette. Yes, more rocks, but they are new exciting rocks! I'm using Saunders Waterford paper this time around and loving it. It seems to be bringing out a looser approach from me which I'm much happier with.
Right on with this painting! I painted an egret last year but it was much more simpler than this- Colette is right, there is bravery in those rocks!
Well thank you Denny! With a limited palette and such muted tones, this may or may not work. Nevertheless, taking a chance with an idea like this is a big step forward for me.
Looking good Peter! And you have the rocks done so quickly.
I find your attention to detail is stunning. This is going to be a masterpiece! I love the wild rugged rock formations which feature so often in your work.
Thanks April! Um, didn't I say I would be doing a smaller painting with no rocks?
Sally, thanks for your kind comments. In fact, I'm finding that the apparent detail seems to emerge, or suggest itself, when I scrub in large areas with heavily diluted acrylics. I'll discuss this further in my next post.
Wow Peter you really have mastered these rock paintings, they give a great feeling of depth to the painting, looking forward to seeing this completed...Grahame
Thanks Grahame - you are far too kind. I think I'm making progress, but I don't think I've mastered anything yet!
Yeah...but hey. I've been saying I am not painting another stone for the last two years and I've just started a 30"x40" canvas with....STONES!!! We may as well admit it Peter, we're ROCK ADDICTS. I even have the word in my name! Pure coincidence of course.
April, resistance is futile!
Yep. you are a brave soul with this rock work. But I love what you are doing. This has incredible written all over it. Gonna be a goodun.
Thank you Gary. When I'm completing great paintings one after the other as you seem able to, perhaps I'll allow myself a pat on the back!
This is coming along great...I love seeing the progression, Peter!
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