Bridge-future painting?

[llis]

This is a photo I would like to use as a future painting. I am posting for thoughts on composition and design. I would like to hear what some of you would add or take away or any thoughts on my photography. For those of you that would like to use the photo yourself, please except this as my gift to you. Of course, the subject matter is Monet's famous green bridge. I have other pictures that show annual flowers planted at the lip of the water. The gardeners were in the process of removing and replanting. It is interesting to note that they use notes directly from Monet as to which plants to use where. http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/User/bridge1.jpg

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Phy...llis
Sounds like Lizz.
P.S.
Visit the Virtual Cafe Guerbois Today! (http://www.artistnation.com/members/paris/cafe)

[Gisela]

Gee Llis....that's a lot of greens. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/wink.gif

Seriously though, it's very nice. I like the way the water leads you towards the bridge.
Go for it!

Gisela

[Phyllis Rennie]

Looks like a challenge! First I'd spend some time studying Carols painting titled Papas Pond. She very effectively used dark water and a good variety of greens. To answer your question: I would eliminate some of the reflections in the water in the foreground. Let the lilies dominate that area. I would eliminate the arching tree with white blooms since it duplicates the arch of the bridge and the light blooms compete with the "skyholes". And I would make the red tree on the far right taller and larger since it closely duplicates the ed tree near the center.

That's my idea--did I just eliminate the parts that most appeal to YOU? That's what's important to keep--the things that you find MOST appealing. Phyl

[arlene]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/User/bridge12.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/User/bridge11.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/User/bridge10.jpg http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/User/bridge9.jpg
Here are my suggestions. And of course your original photo.
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http://www.artdebut.com/arlene0.htm



[This message has been edited by arlene (edited June 04, 2000).]

[llis]

hey arlene: Is this good, better, best?

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Phy...llis
Sounds like Lizz.
P.S.
Visit the Virtual Cafe Guerbois Today! (http://www.artistnation.com/members/paris/cafe)

[CarlyHardy]

Great photo, Phyllis!

I was going to do a crop but Arlene beat me to it. I like the one on the lower right the best. The crop left in more of the subject...the bridge (which would fascinate me with its colors) and the water with its interesting reflections and lilies.

Always simplify when working from a photo...first look at the big shapes...you might like to do your small sketch with just the shapes, darks and lights. Then keep refering to it while you paint. Use a bigger brush so you won't get into all those little branches with too much detail. And I squint at my photos too...to help lose some of the details (of course I just take my glasses off for this now and presto! the details are all gone! lol)

Can't wait to see all the photos! carly

[arlene]

Actually each one highlights a different part and it's a matter of how you paint it and which part you want to emphasize. Why not try all 4? Oh and do as carly said

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http://www.artdebut.com/arlene0.htm

[LarrySeiler]

Okay...here's something I threw together real quick, as I want to catch the Blazer/Laker's game...going on now!

I got rid of what I thought were some distractions, opened the areas a bit to help key in on what I thought interesting (again subjective and personal), and darkened the trees and added some cool colors. Not perfect, .....but just an idea of how I'd think about going at it myself.
Larry


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/User/bridge2.jpg

[msue]

llis, I like Larry's edit. I think I'd try something similar to it. I don't know if I could have painted on site if I had been you. I'd be to busy standing with my mouth open in awe.

[tammy]

Is this our next Cafe project??????
Wow!

[bluespade]

Any updates on this project! I love both the original and the edits by Larry. Larry's version took out lots of the foreground, which emphasizes the bridge and water flowing under it. However, the material in the foreground is also nice as it makes me feel like I am right there on the banks peering into this wonderful garden. Either works for me! : )

How's it coming?

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Doug Hess
Blue Spade Productions

[Phyllis Franklin]

Blue: Thanks for your excitment about this photo. I don't think that it will be the next painting project for the Cafe Guerbois painters, but feel free to use the photo to paint one if you wish. We all would love to see it if you do. You could post it here on this thread if you like, and so could anyone else that would like too. I know that Malarkey is painting using this photo and I may get started on mine some time this week. Look for the next painting project in the Cafe to start in the next few days.

By the way, I am glad that you are interested in painting with us. Send me your photo and I will put it on the Cafe Membership page at the Cafe web site. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


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Yep this is Phy...llis
Sounds like Lizz.
P.S.
Visit the Virtual Cafe Guerbois Today! (http://www.artistnation.com/members/paris/cafe)

[Rod]

One thing that bugs me about the scene is the color of the bridge, I would be tempted to change to a lighter yellw /beige,
Rod


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Watercolours from New Zealand (http://www.artistnation.com/members/paris/rod/)

[Phyllis Franklin]

Hey Rod: I think you call that Monet Green. As in...."could you pass me the Monet Green? I need to paint his bridge."
http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Yep this is Phy...llis
Sounds like Lizz.
P.S.
Visit the Virtual Cafe Guerbois Today! (http://www.artistnation.com/members/paris/cafe)