Monday, March 22, 2010

Billster and Julia the Child

Whoa, a few weeks ago, Margo posted this beautiful family pic to Facebook and I thought it would be fun to paint. It took a while, but here's my take. The photograph still might be better, but I'm calling this version done as it has been on my easel for quite a while.

I took some in-progress shots along the way.


My first session was just establishing some water color and beach color. Then I moved on to the figures.


I finished sketching in the figures and boat without trying to be too tight and detailed for this size painting.


I finished up with darkening the distance after trying it lighter. I think the difference in light reflecting on the water is greater than the atmospheric lightening that I usually think of in landscape painting. The darker water also helped the boat and figures pop out more.


20" x 16" Oil on pumice panel.
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4 comments:

  1. Cat6:24 AM, March 27, 2010

    James:
    This is beautiful!
    Cat

    ReplyDelete
  2. James7:46 AM, March 27, 2010

    Thanks, it was fun. Margo had a great photo there.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ScholarsForStudents6:02 AM, April 14, 2010

    James very nice!

    When you say "oil on pumice panel", what do you mean exactly? Is this a canvas wrapped around a pumice stone?

    Thank you!
    Andy

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  4. James9:00 AM, April 14, 2010

    Lately I have been painting on MDF panels that are gessoed with a acrylic gesso mixed with Pumice powder. I apply it with a roller to avoid leaving brush strokes that show through to the surface of the painting. The pumice gives a little grain and roughness to the panel. It also makes the oil paint dry faster.

    I like how it has been working and will probably mix either pumice or marble dust into my gesso unless I want a very smooth surface when I use a wood support. These are both commonly available additions available at fine art supply stores. They are archival as long as you don't add too much and affect adhesion.

    I learned of the technique from Larry Seiler and Marc Hansen.

    ReplyDelete