Grey Beach Day WIP

[meowmeow]

Finally gave in a decided to start one from a photo. The weather is just too weird to try outside right now. THis is from some photos I took a couple of months ago...very grey beach day. It's grey Wallis, 8x10, gouache underpainting (or gouache slapped on :D) with soft pastels. Just getting going. C&C always welcome...I'm going out soon so it's a good stopping point for me.
THanks!

Sandy

[k9artisan]

I think you are off to a great start! The rocks look terrific! It is looking really good! Thanks for sharing this WIP with us!
Amber :clap: :clap:

[prestonsega]

What a colorful gray day, yet you've captured the feeling of overcast weather conditions. :clap: This is going to be great! It took me a long time to learn what apearantly already know......gray doesn't necessarily mean void of color.....Nice use of opposing diagonals!

[Dyin]

great start Sandy! got the popcorn out, grabbed my reserved tinfoil covered seat in the back row, and ready to watch! :D

[CarlyHardy]

I agree with Preston...your color is great! but you still have the feel of a gray overcast day at the beach.

I know what you mean about weather these days....if I don't get out in the morning, I miss my chance....afternoon clouds are rolling in right now!

Hey Sue, wanna share that popcorn! This will be exciting to watch!
carly

[meowmeow]

You guys are always so encouraging! Thanks so much!
I am really hoping to pay attention and leave some of this background...I never intend to cover it up so much but somehow I do. I want the color here...I don't want to end up with a real, grey, dreary painting.
Pass that popcorn before you all finish it!!!!

[Tom Christopher]

A very good start Sandy-- Just a couple ideas--You may consider some small colored pebbles in the foreground along with the large rocks and a few tall grasses thru out..... keep us posted on your progress... thank you Tom

[Katherine J]

Oh good, Sandy, more rocks. We love to see how everyone does rocks around here!! Great start and I love the fact the grey day is not totally grey - good colour. Looking forward to the rest.

Katherine

[EdK]

Sandy - Looks like you got a good one going! I also can't wait to see how you bring this one home. Save some popcorn for me. (OK I'll ask - why the tin foil Sue?)

[Dyin]

Sandy - Looks like you got a good one going! I also can't wait to see how you bring this one home. Save some popcorn for me. (OK I'll ask - why the tin foil Sue?)


When we got the OP forum this is what SBJ wrote...

Sue, we've covered your chair in gold leaf (okay, okay- I lie- it's Reynold's Wrap- but hey- it's shiny and it isn't the generic stuff, right?) and put a velvet rope around it- it awaits your derriere whenever you drop in.

:D

[meowmeow]

Finally got to spend some more time with this one. Trying not to cover up the all underpainting but still get the tones somewhat realistic.

consider some small colored pebbles in the foreground along with the large rocks

Good suggestion Tom and I do plan to add some little rocky things there but still playing in the sand. Not sure about grass though...it is a very ungrassy area there...I think...I'll check...intersting thought.

Anyhow, thought I'd post an update and see if there are any suggestions. I think the rocks are looking rockier and it is beginning to get there. Not sure how I feel about the water. And there are a couple of greey looking spots showing on the scan which are not really there...gotta check what is up with that.
The little thingy sticking up there in the back is a tower...still have not decided what to do. It is small in the photo and not real clear in the painting, but it is a very definite landmark which does help define the place. I think I want it in but maybe need to use a pencil as opposed to glompy pastel stick.

So...C&C welcome!
Thanks for looking...and for all the encouragement!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Jun-2004/15050-grey_day.jpg

[Dyin]

what are you trying to say about this beach, Sandy? I know it's a WIP but right now everything has the same emphasis...there's a rule about reflections...in certain light they do different things...I'm thinking on a darkish day they're lighter, but I may have it backwards. Anyways, think it's time to decide what your focal area is...rocks, sea or sky and put more contrast and color there...just my thoughts...you know how I love to run on lol!

[meowmeow]

Sheesh Sue...just because I asked for C&C....:D
Good point...I think all along I have been figuring the rocks were the focal point...the ones in front and then figured your eye should kind of go along the rocks to the point where everything meets....or something. I can see that the rocks definitely need more definition and more light...and more everything. Yep....

[meowmeow]

Okay, more detail in the rocks...and toning down the rest a bit. The rocks are not quite so red as they look here but they do have red...and a bit of green in fact. Sort of slimy moss if you must know...but the color works. Started adding a few little rockies around the beach...not much detail though.
So...if this getting more focused? Getting overworked? Getting anywhere?
Thanks!!!!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Jun-2004/15050-grey_day2.jpg

[soap]

Definitely getting there! I like it!!
There seems to be something with the perspective of the rocks...not sure what though......maybe somebody else can help out.
I love the colours!

[Khadres]

This is cool! I like the water treatment and the rocks are emerging beautifully. I think the addition of some warmer color hints to the frontmost rocks would nail that focal point for sure. Looks fun to work on!

[EdK]

Sandy - This is comming along quite nicely. I noticed is that farthest rocks are the same value as the closest rocks. The shadows are very dark in color. Perhaps making them a little lighter would help add to the feeling of distance.

[meowmeow]

Thanks all of you.
I'll check the perspective but I think it is right...although I know I have been known to have said that before about other things and been wrong...but they sort of curve and then go off. It is actually the beginning of a breakwall. But I'll look at it closely and see if something is wrong.
Good suggestion about warming up the front rocks a bit, Sooz. And you are right about the further rocks, Ed...I need to grey those down a bit and send them back.
WEll, I guess I did say it was a WIP! :D I'll keep plodding away...it seems to be progressing but isn't quite there yet.
Thanks for all the good help!

s.

[meowmeow]

Okaaaay.....I think I have sent those further rocks back a bit and brightened up the front ones with some more detail and warmer colors. Fiddled a bit more. Beginning to feel like I need to be done or it wil be overworked. But...speak up if you see something off. If I don't do it this time I will keep it in mind for next time...and I may still mess around with this a bit.
Thanks again!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Jun-2004/15050-grey_day3.jpg

[E-J]

Hey Sandy ... slumming it with a ref photo today, are we? ;) It's true that once you get into painting from life, whether it's plein air or a studio setup, working from photographs can feel like second best - even though we all know some superb results can be achieved from photo refs! The liveliness and energy of your pastel strokes is always inspiring and these qualities are no less evident in this one than in your recent plein airs. You are becoming the queen of rock painting!

[Dyin]

Sandy, much better!!! Think the rocks would throw a few shadows on the sand and was wondering if the sky is too dark now, as it kind of competes with the rocks? But the rocks are looking GOOD!!! :D

[meowmeow]

There's very little shadow form the rocks, just a couple of light ones..which I sort of put in.
I have been lightening the sky....but I think maybe a bit more...it was grey, but not really stormy. I got a little carried away! :D

[sundiver]

Wow, Sandy! I love it the way it is now......... but I must confess I also loved the rough, wild earlier versions- so expressive.
Doing plein airs gets addicting, doesn't it? That little adrenaline rush or something; you get so totally immersed in your surroundings. But I think it also pays off when you work from your photos.
Ya think summer'll ever get here?

[K Taylor-Green]

You know me, I'm scenery challenged, but I LOVE the colors in the water. There is also a sense of "aloneness?" here I hope you don't lose. I like aloneness better than lonelyness, as that isn't the feeling I'm getting.

[meowmeow]

Thanks to all of you! But...

queen of rock painting

Ehhhh....I love rocks and some of mine are pretty good...but I must say, we have several terrific rockers here! :D

If I do anything else it will be minor...maybe just lighten the sky a teensy bit.

THanks for all the help!

[Kathryn Wilson]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Jun-2004/15050-grey_day3.jpg

Ooooh, Sandy, I just found this - you've been working hard! Plein air is addicting, so be careful - :)

I love the texture in the rocks - getting to be our little rock expert - :D

[meowmeow]

THanks Kat! This isn't plein air though. :D I think they were commenting that since I had been doing some plein airs it was hard to go back to my photos.
Which it is...but on the other hand, in some ways it is easier. Well, different. ANd I think working from life helps when you go back to the photos.
I think we could form a little "Pastel Rock Studio" here! :D

[Kathryn Wilson]

Oooops - hmmm, where is that "blushing" smilie when ya need it - :eek:

Seriously, Sandy, those rocks are awesome and thanks for sharing during a very busy pre- "wedding" time for you.