I never was completely settled with the finale of "Downtown Dawning" and so I let it sit unfinished on the easel for the last 6 months. At last, after studying it for sometime, I could see that the bright morning light that captured my attention enough to take the photo to begin with had been lost. So, I "dove" in and got started reworking things - starting with the too dark sky. I also incorporated mixes of cad red light, cerulean and gesso for the sky. I find that it makes a less chalky mix. This was initially applied with a knife and some areas softened with brush.
Next it was onto the skyline. Needed to get those yellows and oranges subdued a bit because they were really to serve as a backdrop for what really caught my eye that morning. Initially it was the buildings, but as I looked, it was that row of grasses with the sunlight grazing the top plumes. And then how could I miss that delivery truck - it never seems to move. It just seemed so interesting sitting there all alone.
So here ... what I believe is the much improved "Downtown Dawning". (Acrylics on 18 x 24" gallery wrapped canvas.)
1 comments:
Celeste, you're not going to believe this..
I'm painting the very scene you are showing here.
Mine is about half done and is a large 22"x28" oil painting that will belong to my son when it's finished. I have to say that I really like your lighting better than mine. I shot my reference a little later in the day but this is great.
I may go back at sunup and reshoot. I love this.
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