Colorado View- Sunset

[kentiessen]

This 9x12 pastel on Ersta sanded is of sunset across the mountains east of Winter Park, and is not entirely finished- foreground and edgework is needed. The sky changes so rapidly which makes it difficult, but the evening light there is so magical it is impossible to resist- learning about colors and shape. (Sorry, a few slight shadows across this shot from the field.)
Ken

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Aug-2008/130333-Wp_Sunset_KTiessen.jpg

[Donna T]

Wow, Ken, I really love the light in this one. From the field in the foreground it's such a nice path up the mountain and then into the clouds. The light on the mountain is what keeps me looking at this. If those spots of background paper showing through bug you at all I recently learned that a few touches with a color shaper take care of them real well. Seems like it's better to push the color around that's already there rather than pile on more. Just a thought, some people like seeing the paper and some don't. I usually just touch up the dark areas a little so the values there aren't disturbed by the lighter spots showing through.

Donna

[kentiessen]

Wow, Ken, I really love the light in this one. From the field in the foreground it's such a nice path up the mountain and then into the clouds. The light on the mountain is what keeps me looking at this. If those spots of background paper showing through bug you at all I recently learned that a few touches with a color shaper take care of them real well. Seems like it's better to push the color around that's already there rather than pile on more. Just a thought, some people like seeing the paper and some don't. I usually just touch up the dark areas a little so the values there aren't disturbed by the lighter spots showing through.

Donna

Thanks, Donna. The foreground is a bit unfinished yet- some odds and ends to add. It is the paper showing through, but I just usually leave it on a sketch. For some reason, it is more visible on the image than on the artwork. Thanks for the tip- I have started softening more in the darks on a portrait in Canson.
Ken

[Al Skaar]

Like the color and mood of this piece a lot. I'm glad Donna mentioned the spots. I wasn't quite sure what they were at first and find them a bit distracting, but the overall image is great.

- Al

[cjorgensen]

Wow, this is breathtaking! :)

[kentiessen]

Like the color and mood of this piece a lot. I'm glad Donna mentioned the spots. I wasn't quite sure what they were at first and find them a bit distracting, but the overall image is great.

- Al

Thanks, Al. I worked on the color mostly, and didn't finish as a result. This was shot outside at the time, so I'm not sure how true it is. The paper gaps are less of an issue somehow in the actual piece. I appreciate your comment.
Ken

[kentiessen]

Carolyn- Thanks- it's a very inspiring view, particularily at sundown.
Ken