'American Tall Ship'...WIP

[John B]

Hello from Whitby,

As some of you may know we have just had several of the competitors from the Tall Ships Race docked in Whitby Harbour, before the next leg of the race. I was lucky enough to be on the harbour in 'Artists corner, and painted a couple of paintings of masts and rigging, previously posted. All had a great time.

I took several photos and also exchanged many images with members of the various crews. I thought this painting that I am working on is a powerful image and hope to enter it into the Royal Society of Marine Artist's open exhibition in October.

I would be very grateful for all and any C&C's, When finished and exhibited I intend donating the painting to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, a charity that perform rescues around the coast of the United Kingdom saving many lives.

Soft pastel of various makes and pastel pencil on Canson Mi-Teintes light blue 12"x16".

Under painting with JM Paillard Jouvre Artist Pastels, These are very creamy pastels and gave me the velvety sky I was looking for.

Kindest regards and happy painting

John

[RUNEMASTER]

Nice colors, but what is it?

[sailmary]

I know a US flag when I see one!

[Khadres]

Really lovely...the wind has made a real challenge out of it, too! Looks like you had so much fun!

[John B]

Hello all, :wave:

It's still a work in progress, but I thought the Star Spangled Banner, billowing in the wind might of been distinctive, I've failed again! LOL. :D

But seriously, the thing that excited me about this image was the wonderful shape of the flag when filled with wind and the light glinting off the masts and rigging.

I will need to be very careful with the rest of the rigging, I will aim to get it all in, but I don't want the painting to become overcrowded. Comments are always appreciated. :)

John

[Khadres]

Oh, wow, that guy on the spar up there sure gives this scale now! Yowee....good thing some folks aren't afraid of heights! This is coming along beautifully!

[*Marina*]

Looks great so far. Curious to see it finished.
Marina

[johndill01]

Looking great!

[RUNEMASTER]

Been to your website John and its some very nice work.Love it all. Now that I see the ship parts I understand what this is.Some reason I couldnt see some of the images before except the solitary flag floating.Now I see clearly and it looks good.

To be honest I would have liked to see more of the ship.To put it into context.
As it is the colors are very nice, and you get the feel of the open air, but I fear its too close up.Needed to recede a bit to show more of the ship or something that indicates that its connected to the ship. The wooded parts of the ship are ok , but what kind of ship is this? However, you have not failed.It will certainly pass for a ship/flag related piece, and the colors are great.Just needed some emphasis on the context I think.

[Merethe T]

Looks real good! I really enjoy the view, and the man up there in the rig really made it! Dramatic and exciting, and I like the shape of the flag - looks tricky to paint... Will be watching this!

[John B]

Starting to build up into the painting I am looking for. The draped sail behind the flag will, I hope give me a method of creating depth.

I am getting close to the amount of rigging I want in the painting, there is a fair bit to go in to give the sail structure and I need to break up the blue in the left of the painting, should be close some time today.

RUNEMASTER, thank you for your comments, much appreciated, I always try to look beyond the normal and try to represent things from a slightly different perspective, the best part about it is that it has got people thinking and talking, I must confess the thing that excited me most was that flag, I had to see if I could paint it in pastel, then build a painting around it.

Happy painting all

John

[RUNEMASTER]

Wow! Now its really come together. Looks very good.I would have never guessed it would finally look like this.Very good job.

[John B]

Thank you RUNEMASTER, really glad you like it, I enjoy seeing a painting grow.
I think this is as far as I will take it today; I will look at it again tomorrow.

I think I have gone as far as possible with the rigging, I recon I have about three quarters in, any more and it will look overcrowded. I believe there is enough rigging to balance the painting.

I think I have achieved some depth, the draped sail, certainly helped and odd spots of highlights.

C&C's very welcome.

Kind regards

John

[Trilby]

This is dramatic and innovative. I like it a lot. The linear design of the rigging is delightful, the man in the rigging gives a strong drama and counterpoint, the shadowing of the flag and its folds is just right. I especially like the uniqueness of having the flag sort of bunched in the wind instead of free flowing. Good job for sure.
TJ

[meowmeow]

Wonderful...I love the view...the flag is terrific...this is a very dramatic painting!

Sandy

[CindyW]

John, the blue sky is such a beautiful background color for the lovely vertical lines of the rigging (?) ropes, and the flag is quite a statement among the backdrop.
Cindy

[Paula Ford]

WOW, love the light on the flag...very dramatic painting!

Paula

[John B]

Finished, I Think?

John

[Dark_Shades]

I didnt notice your up date, but I spied it in Mini Gallery :) so came to seek it out........ what amazing work - all those ropes........ I couldnt comprehend from your first posting of how the Tall Ship was going to work out....... it worked out a treat......
Great job John, well done indeed

Great perspective, and like the sunshine that you achieved

[Artaholic]

Beautifully done, the lighting is striking :)

[Nicoclaus]

Very nice and dramatic looking ;)