Evolution of a Painting, 3 x Lighthouse

[AHA]

3 different end of summer days out at Cattle Point lighthouse, the very southern most tip of San Juan Island. Since you are standing on a cliff looking up at the lighthouse, there is no room to get back from this angle. Here are three different version, a small 8" x 10",was the first one painted. Liking the composition potential, I thought I'd try it again as a bigger format, 12" x 16" is the second version. It was a windy day, and was blown out from too much wind for painting. The final, a 24" x 24" was started out on location with a sienna underpainting. Though the lighthouse seem deceptively simple, I found it to be complex, especially with the changing light. I felt lucky to get in 3 sessions before the weather turns.
I'm on a bend to simplify my images down to one clear idea.

[pskardenni]

Wonderfull paintings. And the third is the best. It is interresant that you set you an aware goal. To simplify the image to one clear idea.
As we start painting I think most of us only try to make it look as much as possible like the scene. And then we develop in different directions.

It would be interresant to have a thread, where we are asked to tell about our goals when painting.

Just one question. - Why do you leav the top of the lighthouse ?

[AHA]

HI Pol,
I agree that sometimes I try to render what I see, but sometimes Mother Nature can be very dull, so much green..... I like to push what I see, like you do, you have great color sense.
Currently, I feel less concerned about subject and feel like I'm trying to address compositional considerations. Making an idea work, or finding a way to present an idea in a new way. That's what I liked about this lighthouse, presenting it in a towering imposing way. I cropped the top of it because there is a bunch of radar equipment, wires and lights, that were just too busy for the severe Hopper-esque feeling.
I'm just starting a series of large flower paintings where I hope to do the same thing, present my common subject in a unique and interesting way. So far I've collaged some material onto the surface to get started. I'm also trying a large reverse painting on glass of a lovely bouquet, just to see what happens. Annie

[LarrySeiler]

it has strong stylization, boldness...quite intriguing