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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The Wonders


"The Wonders" 9 x 12 oil on canvas panel  $125

This painting was for another challenge on Different Strokes for Different Folks. I added the child, and her wonder at the light making a great wheel on the floor, and accentuated the preoccupation of the other family members with the wonder of their i-phones. Even with the reference photo provided this was a tough challenge to paint these figures from above, plus making one up (including her shadow), but once again I struggled most with the values. As you will see from the progress below, I realized mid-painting that where I wanted the focus was not going to have the most value contrast.

 
The choice of a red underpainting was pretty random, other than I thought it would make a nice vibe behind the gray-greens.

 
 
Oops! Here's where I realize the focus is on the man, not the child.
 
Bad exposure on the photo, but the contrast is where I need it. What's with the kid? Not working!


 I'm laying on the couch taking a quick snooze with my face in the sun when I realize the child needs to be looking at the source of the light way up there! Turned the canvas upside down to paint her face- amazing how I can forget this is an option. Also decided to crop the canvas- which is also an option with canvas board.

4 comments:

Sizun said...

Adding the child is a brilliant idea. Isn't she pretending she's a plane ?

Autumn Leaves said...

This is so lovely, Leslie. I like the addition of the child and mom trying to get the child's attention and to "come on". Interesting to see how the background color has disappeared. I am always intrigued to hear about the choices of background color. I can't quite figure out how it works, but then I just haven't had enough art instruction to date. Anyway, this is a truly gorgeous piece!

Tana said...

I really like this. I can feel the energy from the mom to move on, and the child either wanting to fly, or spin in circles.

I like the choice of the red background. Wonder how that would work on a blk/wht painting?

Very nice.

Becky Drees said...

Leslie, I LOVE the child looking up. SO great!

I could see this on the cover of a *really cool* children's book!