Golden Afternoon - Finished - Grasses In

[Kathryn Wilson]

Boy, this is the second time around for this painting and I am ready throw this one in the trash too. I love the photo and know what I want, but can't seem to pull it off.

Lots to be done, but thought I'd I stop and get some opinions. Good enough for my show, or move on to something else?

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Jul-2007/14941-pilings-wc.jpg

Thanks for looking!

[mrking]

I love parts of it but do not understand the blue on the top of the pilings.

[NickyW]

Hi Kathryn, Im no expert, i think you are getting abit flustered as we do when we cant quite get that result we can see in our minds eye. Please dont throw it out, it does have potential, mrking pointed out the blue on top of the pilings, keep with it, im sorry im not any help here, but take a step back, relax and im sure you will have a winner here..

[Kathryn Wilson]

mrking - that is the strong sunlight coming down on top of those surfaces - it is tempered with some yellow, but that is not showing up in the photo

Thanks for the support Nicky - we'll see. I am frustrated with it at the moment.

[needtopaint]

There is great "stuff" happening in this work. I love the reflection in the water and the depth to the upper lefthand corner. I do agree with mrking about the light blue. It is not so much the colors, but, at least on my screen, they lack dimension. They look flat, almost like empty holes. I know sunlight washes out depth often, but these need a bit more I believe. Don't trash it. You're not that far.

Christine

[mrking]

mrking - that is the strong sunlight coming down on top of those surfaces - it is tempered with some yellow, but that is not showing up in the photo

Thanks for the support Nicky - we'll see. I am frustrated with it at the moment.

Interesting. Are the top of the pilings wet?

Can you post a ref image?

[Kathryn Wilson]

Here's the ref -

[*Violet*]

i like your reference picture too and see why you wanted to paint it ... i believe you might be trying to follow the reference too exactly ... i think the reference photo has the tops overexposed and the contrasts too severe ... i'd recommend taking artistic license and making the tops of the pilings very light colours that might exist in the piling itself and surrounding colours ... and showing it's texture ... then see how you feel about it ... the colours that you're putting into this painting are fabulous ... it wouldn't take too much to make it just *sing* ... you can do it too !!

[Kathryn Wilson]

This is exactly what I needed to know - thanks everybody - I never even thought of the tops being too light, or the wrong color.

[Netty]

I love the colours you have chosen for this one, Beautiful , I would keep going.
The addition of the green grasses would also look lovely.

Annie :)

[maggie latham]

:cat:
Hello,
Keep going! It will be great! The one thing unique to pastel is how quickly the painting changes when we push through this middle not sure stage and add and adjust colors and value.
Maggie

[Snowbound]

There are two times during a painting that are sure to make me totally nuts: the first is when I've blocked it out and then am faced with what looks to me like a bunch of blobs that make no sense at all. The other is when I have something in my mind and I can't pull it off and the frustration is about to push me over the edge and the only way out is to rip the dang thing off and throw it in the trash. But most of the time, if I stay with it, something happens that makes the painting work well enough to at least keep, and often better than that. Sometimes it means that the painting turns out to be a different painting than I thought it was going to be. Other times I end up figuring out what it is that is getting in my way. Either way, I end up learning something, and feeling good enough about it that I am willing to put myself through the whole damn process again.

Some sort of sickness, I guess. Obviously, you've got it too. I like your painting. I bet the folks above have pinpointed the problem. I bet you can fix it. Go for it. Even if it makes the painting different from what you thought it was going to be. Heh heh.

Dayle Ann

Ok, so I'm feeling impish today... it's been a great day.

[Deborah Secor]

Kat, for me there's a drama to the photo that appeals, which you may have chosen to ignore. If so, that's certainly your choice to make (and thus ignore me), but the height difference between the first and second piling makes a nice stretch. It adds a rhythm I find interesting, a syncopation, if you will. Instead of a steady beat, the first one is a downbeat, then a hesitation before the second one hits my eye...

Now, you know I try not to be a slave to a photograph, but what I want to do is use the parts that really work, so for me that dramatic pause is interesting. That's right where the grasses reside, which adds another rhythm, or maybe what you could think of as the melody--a little interesting tidbit or light sparking my interest as it wraps around the beat.

I think your color work in the water is a good start. If you're turned on by this photo, I recommend going for it on this one! Usually the desire (inspiration) to paint a scene is worth far more than any amount of analysis, don't you think? (I remember the first one you did, too!)

Have some fun. Don't let the deadline scare you into being too safe.

Deborah

[Trilby]

This is an exciting image. I like Deborah's comments on the rhythm and the nice contrasting note that the differently scaled posts make.
I am not clear whether your image is finished or in progress. If finished I haven't the sense of water in the oranges and yellows. That area looks like ground with yellowed grasses. In your ref I love those dark recesses in the posts and would like to see them in your painting---more of those base notes to conterpoint the melody. Definitely would like to see the green grasses as another cool contrast to the warm colors. Certainly do not trash this. It will be ,and really is already, a stunning piece, that should shine in your show.
TJ

[Pabs]

Hi Kathy - keep at it, or as someone advised me, put it to one side and come back in a few weeks or month's time!
For my two penneth worth I'd consider putting some of those grasses in, or maybe, if you don't want them, some ripples around a couple of the posts? Just a quick thought on my first impression.
Regards,
Pabs

[flyfisherflyfisher1]

Actually I like it at this point! Call me weird but compositionally it's wounderful.
I would claim it as contemporary and frame it...nice balance I new exactly what it was when I saw it and had no problems at all with it. It flows and has subject...I really like it.
Pete

[Kathryn Wilson]

Dayle Anne - it's okay to be impish! Some days I am the same - but there are days you just want to throw up your hands in disgust - :)

Deborah - your message is lyrical, so like you. I need to digest what you are saying and then get on with it. Time is fleeting by so fast and I have spent two weeks on this mess.

Trilby - no, it's not finished, although there are passages that are. Grasses are sketchily put in with the shaper, but hard to see in the photo. Until the rest of the painting is finalized, I can't put them in as they get erased if I work in their area.

Pabs - the grasses will be there, no doubt.

[Kathryn Wilson]

Oops, Peter we x-posted.

There was a time earlier on in the painting that it had some very abstract qualities to it that I liked - and this may make another painting at another time in that style. I like the push-pull of the comp in this painting - the curvature of the bank opposing the posts coming towards it - almost a ying-yang effect.

Thanks for commenting! I like your style too - keep at your wonderfully expressive paintings.

[Constellation]

Kathryn..... your painting has an excellent start and it's going to be so interesting in it's simplicity! It will be wonderful.... it's just being a difficult "teen-ager" at the moment.... give it time and be patient with yourself.... it's there and will bloom! ;) Donna R.

[Diane Cutter]

Boy, this is the second time around for this painting and I am ready throw this one in the trash too. I love the photo and know what I want, but can't seem to pull it off.

Lots to be done, but thought I'd I stop and get some opinions. Good enough for my show, or move on to something else?

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/16-Jul-2007/14941-pilings-wc.jpg

Thanks for looking!
I love abstract work and this is more in that realm... I think it's great as is and would only change the color of the tops of the pilings. They are just a little too bright/light a blue and need something a little warmer. At the moment the tops of the pilings demand the viewers attention and I'm not sure that's what you want. By toning them down a bit you'll pull it together emphasizing the whole composition better...

Diane

[meowmeow]

I think this has great potential...the composition is great. For me, one of the things you have to do is figure out what is your focal point. I think other people have said the same thing, but in a different way...perhaps more lyrically! :D But I think that will help you...then highlight that, soften the rest....don't worry so much about the photo at this point and you will have a really nice painting!


Sandy

[Mikki Petersen]

Good Grief! DO NOT PITCH THIS! This is a great painting in the making Kat! Margot Schulzke lectures a lot about intervals and tells the story of taking a class to a judging of a show she had a painting in. They stood behind the judge as he viewed Margot's painting and the judge commented: "This could be a good painting except the intervals in that line of trees is just boring". Margot looked on horrified and saw that each of the trees was equally spaced and...well...boring!

You have great fire going in this painting and I think Deborah gives great advice about changing the heights of the pilings (intervals again). This will give stronger interest...doesn't have to be a lot just so they are not even. As for the tops of the pilings, I agree that your photo has probably exaggerated the light. Maybe if you create a few more colors in those spots or bits of the pilings appearing through the wet.

I, for one, though, would be very impressed seeing this painting in a show just as you've posted it. It's so bold and beautiful!

Mikki

[2bears]

I like it the way it is. Actually, I've been looking at it turned sideways and upside down too. Looks good those ways too.

Others have given good advice but if you pitch it out I think you will really be making a mistake.

Hang in there!

[Artistammy]

This is going to be great. I didn't really see the orange color as water until I saw the reference. That might could be adjusted somehow. Pulling up a chair to see the finish.
Tammy

[Kathryn Wilson]

You guys are the greatest! A real bolster to my blues.

I think the problem I am having with it is I am trying to replicate the first one that I pitched - it was gorgeous, but I pushed the color too far, tried to change it and it was ruined. This one is just trying to be itself and not a copy - :)

[Pat Isaac]

I think this is a very striking piece compositionally and don't chuck it. I has a wonderful abstract quality and great value contrasts. Keep going with it. Are you planning on putting in the foreground grasses?

Pat

[Kathryn Wilson]

Hi Pat - I think I need to put in those grasses for a different kind of texture to the painting. We shall see!

[prestonsega]

What is it in the air.....I have had doubts on recent paintings also...I even tore up a sheet of wallis cause i couldn't feel good about it...Some paintings need to be destroyed....but not this one!

[Snowbound]

...Some paintings need to be destroyed....but not this one!

Amen.

Dayle Ann

[Donna T]

I agree with everyone else about the abstract potential of this one. I like it a lot and wish that I could "see" things like you do.

Donna T

[Kathryn Wilson]

Well, as it turns out, I guess I am being too hard on myself - I just sold 3 paintings before the show even opens.

Yikes, I need to get painting! The buyers were very nice about it and know that they will have to live without their paintings until the end of October.

[meowmeow]

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Congratulations Kat! That is fabulous news.
Now get to work! :cat:


Sandy

[*Violet*]

What is it in the air.....I have had doubts on recent paintings also...I even tore up a sheet of wallis cause i couldn't feel good about it...Some paintings need to be destroyed....but not this one!

no doubt !! .... but i'll pay the postage on the next sheet of wallis you feel the need to do that to !! ... *i'll* wash it off !!! ... :):):)

[cal studio]

The abstract quality is really what appeals to me in this. The colors are very nice- Perhaps keep the details simple.

Cathleen

[Kathryn Wilson]

Thanks Cathleen - that's me the "no detail" lady. The older I get the less details in my paintings - must be the eyesight thing - :)

[Deborah Secor]

Great news, Kat!!! Now, are you going to share with us which three your customer chose?

Deborah

[Kathryn Wilson]

Oh, I think I said it over in the other thread, but he chose Uncharted Waters for his office, Falls Lake for his home and his paralegal chose Aspen Creek for her home.

He may buy the companion piece to Uncharted Waters and I have someone who is interested in Texas Blue Bonnets, a buyer from my web site.

It takes your breath away when this happens.

[Kathryn Wilson]

Okay, I am at the point I need to decide to put the grasses in, or not. Your help on this would be appreciated.

Peggy, I hope the elipses are better. If they are still off, let me know.

The blues are popping a bit more than in IRL, but pleased with the photo for the most part.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Jul-2007/14941-pilings1-wc.jpg

[*Violet*]

my vote: grasses IN ... :) ... i think greens would compliment the colours here and add a livingness to it ...

and for the record, i think you brought this one around marvellously !! ... the posts and ellipses are fantastically rendered ... i do kinda miss seeing the bottom in the reddish waters tho ... but it looks fine as you have it !! .... :thumbsup:

[Kathryn Wilson]

One vote grasses.

umm . . . could you explain where you mean the bottom in the reddish waters, maybe you could point to something in the original photo.

[bluefish]

put the grasses in - your customers will love them - 'grasses sell' on the east coast! - you are really rolling - you did wonders to this since the first showing - a sure sale! - wonderful work, Kat!.......'bluefish':thumbsup:

[Pat Isaac]

What eye stopping color, Kat. Just gorgeous. I really like the texture of the post. Yes, for the grasses.

Pat

[Deborah Secor]

Looking good, Kat. I think grasses would be a welcome addition both from the standpoint of shape and softness, but I don't know that you want to add another color to this lovely color scheme. Green would complete a triad, changing everything... Something to consider! Could you use another color like golds and oranges, perhaps sun-tipped, as are the posts?

I find the rectangle of blue water between the three posts a bit confusing visually. Maybe the far right-hand post needs a darker left side to it (though IRL it may read). I'd clear that up before adding grasses myself. Would you stretch the grass over that area? It could strengthen that one spot...

Have fun!

Deborah

PS I want to see photos of the ones you sold!! Are they in the other thread?

[Kathryn Wilson]

Hi Deborah - if you go to my website, they have "sold" signs on them. Uncharted Waters, Falls Lake and Texas BlueBonnets. Sorry about that, it was Aspen Creek that sold, not the Blue Bonnets one. sheesh

And I have been struggling with that triangle throughout the painting process. I do need to resolve - I did just now darken a portion of it (hard to describe where).

I will get a better shot of this when I finalize with the grasses.

[*Violet*]

truly, your depiction of the waters is fine !! ... i'm just a freak about seeing the bottom in waters in paintings liking the effect ... here's mainly the spots i was referring to ...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Jul-2007/46454-a_pilings.jpg

[Kathryn Wilson]

Good, that clarifies - thanks for that!

PS. I left that left side sorta blank knowing I would be putting grasses in. But I'd like to look into putting in some of those bottom rocks on the right side.

[bluefish]

Kat

Take a picture, print it out and do the grasses on the photo to see how it looks! You already have some golden grasses in the rear, left side - you can use some of this color in the grasses along with a subdued yellowish olive grass color - if it were mine, I would add the green and golden grasses because I feel it will enhance the painting but others will feel differently! Work on the print until you feel comfortable with the result! Good luck and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product!......'bluefish':angel:

[Kathryn Wilson]

Bluefish - what an excellent, excellent idea. I shall do just that. I was starting to get worried about putting in the grasses as they are not my forte. I shall use my clay shaper to at least get the detailed, thin lines in, then add the colors.

[Donna T]

Kat, I love the changes you have made to this! The details you added to the posts really make it clear what they are. I like it like this because it borders on abstract/reality. The addition of grasses would push it more toward reality, at least I think. I guess it depends on the effect you are after ( other than the "sold" sign, which is a given!)

Donna T

[Merethe T]

Oooh, gorgeous colors!! I really like this, like many others I find the abstract"ism" appeals to me - the comp is so pleasing to the eye. The changes you've done look wonderful, quite an eyecatching piece.....look forward to see what you decide with the grasses....

Merethe

[*Violet*]

... the square post ... it seems to reduce in thickness by almost a quarter toward the bottom ... and i think the alignment of the next one back is too much in align with the one in back of it so could be widened to address that ...

This is an instance where the camera did not pick up that detail - it's there, but very hard to see. Also, several people have pointed out the problem with the posts being too lined up - will take care of that! Thanks for looking out for me.

[Tyroler]

fabolous painting, the colours and great. Seems like its on fire. the texture on the piles are great too, detailed without being to much... welldone

[Kathryn Wilson]

Kristian - thank you so much for taking the time to comment. It's nice to see you here in the forum and hope you stick around for awhile.

[*Violet*]

omg !! my post above is *not* what i posted !!! ... there's gremlins !! ... the last paragraph is *not* mine !! ...


i just noticed that it *was* edited ... so i will edit my own this time and take out what i said ...
sorry for posting something that required being edited ...

[mrking]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Jul-2007/14941-pilings1-wc.jpg

Just got back into this thread. Whoa, very nice now. Glad you never chucked it! Looking fantastic! :thumbsup:

Is your focal point the split log?

I can hardly wait for the updated version.

Mike

[*Marina*]

Just love this piece. Colours are very striking, it has something mystical about it. Personally I would not put to much detail in. It doesn't need it.

[Kathryn Wilson]

omg !! my post above is *not* what i posted !!! ... there's gremlins !! ... the last paragraph is *not* mine !! ...


i just noticed that it *was* edited ... so i will edit my own this time and take out what i said ...
sorry for posting something that required being edited ...

I see that the paragraph was mine - I must have edited the wrong post and not sure how that happened. You did nothing wrong - it was me probably being in a rush as usual. I had just gotten back in from waiting in line for the latest Harry Potter book to be released at midnight - picking it up as a birthday present for someone else, although I will enjoy reading it! Sorry this happened Violet.

Ahh, I'll bet I know what happened - it looks like I was trying to answer your post and I hit the edit button instead of the quote button.

[Dark_Shades]

Kat this is gorgeous - the colours divine :thumbsup:

[Karen Margulis]

It's just beautiful!!!! I would definitely try Bluefishes tip on adding the grasses...this is so nice as it is. Congratulations on your sales too!! You are on a roll and I am so happy for you!!!

Karen

[Mikki Petersen]

If you feel you have to put the grasses in, please follow Deborah's suggestion to do them golds or oranges. I don't think they are needed. I don't think anything is needed. This is one of those paintings that would appeal to both realists and expressionists/abstractionists. It's more about color and balance than subject matter. I read the blue space between the three posts as reflection of the upper post and it's fine with me.

I Love this Kathryn...it's ingenious!

Mikki

[Kathryn Wilson]

Thanks Dawn and Karen - I value your opinions!

Mikki - I will be very cautious about adding anything. As I see it on my easel, I love it as is, but also know it might be missing something. If the grasses don't work for me, they won't go in. If it's a composition problem without them, then I need to know.

I am pleased with how it's turning out and thankful for WC friends who encouraged me to keep on with it.

[Alecto]

What a difference your changes made! Still beautifully abstract, but realistic enough to understand what we're looking at. The colors are wonderful!

[Bringer]

Hi there,

That is one heck of a great use of colour relation.
The lighting is logical and thus convincing through all the elements of the painting.

Kind regards,

José

[dbjs]

It's wonderfull! I truly love this!

[Kathryn Wilson]

Alecto, Jose, dbjs - y'all are turning my head. I just hope I don't muck it up.

Take some time off to start reading Harry Potter - the painting is staring at me from the dining room as if to say "well!!!" - am I finished or not????

I am saying . . . you can sit, until I am mentally ready for the challenge.

[Snowbound]

Take some time off to start reading Harry Potter -

Is this the latest Harry Potter? I can't get anybody to tell me how it ends-- they actually want to READ it first! Me, I can't stand the suspence, and I have to wait until my daughter finishes reading it to my granddaughter before I get it. So read really fast and then tell me, ok?

Dayle Ann

[Kathryn Wilson]

I've got about 1/3 done - it's a big book, so got a ways to go. Yes, I was tempted to read the last chapter, but won't.

I'll PM you when I get done.

[bruce johnson]

Hi Kathryn... I'm really enjoying watching you solve the problems of this painting.. for me.. I think the green of the grass would tie the water to the land and the complementary colours would make the painting sing... sorry.. just the devil in me haha

[Kathryn Wilson]

You :evil: :evil: :evil: you.
:D

[bruce johnson]

:evil: :evil: :lol: :lol: Have a nice day :p :thumbsup:

[Mary Brigid]

wow kathryn you really turned this one around... it is such an unusual subject and you have made something ordinary look very special
Mary Brigid

[Trilby]

Well, I would say that you are nailing this one. The colors just get more and more lucious. I really like the abstract quality within the frame of representasionalism.
TJ

[Kathryn Wilson]

Got brave in put in some grasses. You have to be pretty up close to see them, so if viewed from a distance, it shows more of an abstract, and if viewed up close, more of a representational landscape. How's that for an excuse - :evil:

This photo is a lot closer in color than the previous digi's - but still some of the blues popping - they really are more subtle IRL.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Jul-2007/14941-pilings-finished-wc.jpg

[Artaholic]

Absolutely Beautiful 1

[bluefish]

it needs the grasses - double in value($) with the grasses - now color them in darker on the model(photo) and let's see before the actual painting is completed! - this is going to be one 'wow' of a painting when finished - maybe the NC museum!...........'bluefish':angel:

[Kathryn Wilson]

hellooooooo bluefish - this is done, this is the actual painting, not the photo :lol: :lol:

the grasses are not showing up well in digi, but they are there and strong enough in the actual painting for me to be happy with it the way it is :thumbsup:

[Diana_pastels]

Kathryn,
I love this! Beautiful, dramatic, definitely WOW.
Diana

[David Patterson]

Looks great Kat! (glad I can edit fast)

David

[Kathryn Wilson]

Not fast enough - I read your original post :evil: :evil: :evil:

:lol: :lol:

[David Patterson]

That's what I get for only reading the first page!:o

[dbjs]

Kathryn!! This has become a wondefull and very lovely pastel painting!! Great to watch thank you for sharing :D

[NickyW]

Hi Kathryn, well done, this has turned out to be a spectacular painting after all the frustrations, thats usually the way isnt it? I am so glad you didnt bin it, i adore the colours in it, i agree with you about it being both abstract and up close more landscape, so wow you have two in one..great work.

[PeggyB]

Good, simple finish Kat. Lovely painting. Bet is sells quickly! :thumbsup:
Peggy

[Constellation]

Kathryn..... that is delightful! It just sparkles and far exheeded my hopes for what your were trying to accomplich! It is absolutely wonderful. Donna R.

[Pat Isaac]

Stunning, Kat.....

Pat

[maggie latham]

Hello Kathryn,
Lovely, lovely painting. Wonderful that you have shared your thought process.
Maggie

[bnoonan]

Oh Kat - that is a challenging photo but I loved watching the process and seenig what you did for an underpainting to give it such power and Wow.

Great job so far. Barb (a patient muggle)

[Kathryn Wilson]

I finished HP - anyone want to know the outcome and doesn't want to read the book, PM me.

[Eggy]

Congratulations, Katherine. Lovely.

Kind regards,
Eggy

[prestonsega]

A real winner Kat!!!!!!

[bruce johnson]

Yip ... definitely a winner.

[Snowbound]

Yes, I like what you've done with the grasses. When I first heard the idea, I was afraid they would simply overwhelm the mood. But you've done them so delicately that they serve a perfect and subtle counterpoint. This is a stunning painting-- and you are right, now it is finished, a keeper for sure. This belongs somewhere important.

Dayle Ann

[Kathryn Wilson]

Thanks Eggy, Preston and Bruce - your comments are uplifting!

Dayle Ann - I'm glad you are pleased with the grasses. That was my point exactly - do the grasses so that they don't take over the painting. Yahooo - this is done!

[Diane Cutter]

It's a stunning piece, Kathryn. I love how you resolved the issues you were dealing with! It's a good example in perseverence for all of us!

Diane

[nana b]

Kat, I really like your painting! It really catches your eye and is very enjoyable to look at. Sorry I haven't commented before but i have been very sick for three weeks and still am not feeling so good. I think you have a winner with "Golden Afternoon"!

nana b