Coolidge Park Fountain

[Kent]

Hi, all--

This is my first post on WC in a couple of years--been waiting for this forum to open! I wanted to try a larger, more complex painting than I usually do. This is 24 by 49 inches, on gessoed MDF.

I started on this in July; by September, I realized that I could spend the rest of my life working on it, so I've declared it finished.

Paints are mostly Lukas Berlin, with a few Grumbacher Max and Holbein Duo--I never had much luck using the WN Artisans.

All C&C appreciated.

Cheers,
Kent


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-Oct-2009/38227-2009_10_fountain,_spider_033.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-Oct-2009/38227-2009_10_fountain,_spider_009.jpg

[IMG]http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-Oct-2009/38227-2009_10_fountain,_spider_008x.jpg

[couturej]

Hi Kent, Welcome to the forum! Wow, Amazing painting! I could look at it for hours finding all the beautiful detail. Perfect! :clap:

[Susan H]

Welcome to the forum! Your paintings are very impressive. The WMO forum is a great place to share. Look forward to seeing more of your posts. Susan

[DAK723]

Wow! Wonderful painting! There is so much of interest here - and everything is well done! The figures have a very natural feel - really impressive given the amount and variety of poses!

Don

[Kent]

Janet, Susan, and Don--

Thanks for the nice comments.

Cheers,
Kent

[birdhs]

Kent, you did not mention this fountain is located in Chattanooga TN, close to downtown. It is also about 10 minutes from my home and I have spent many afternoons enjoying this great park. (there is also a great old-fashioned carousel. and the Delta Queen)....... ;)

Your rendition is really impressive, there is so much to enjoy. All those stone animals are difficult, but you really caught the essence. And the children are having fun, you captured that also. IMHO I think you stopped exactly at the right moment...... :clap:

Thanx 4 posting, this pleaseth our eyes.:cool:

[Kent]

Thanks; the hardest part was painting the pedestrian bridge on the left--I painted it four or five times.

Chattanooga has a lot of great subjects to paint.

Cheers,
Kent

[catchafairy]

This is really nice. I like how you did the water especially.

[judemo]

Absolutely beautiful! I love the fountain - and really everywhere I look is a treat to see your color choices and brush strokes!

[jeffreywp]

Wow, what an accomplishment! I think your use of color is great, Kent. This piece conveys a wonderful sense of light and airiness. I can almost hear the splash of the fountains and laughter of everybody enjoying themselves.

And, finally, your use of the shadow in the lower right and stone statues on either side of the painting to lead my eye into the composition were a nice use of repoussoir.

[Kent]

Catchafairy, Judemo, and Jeffrey,

Thanks! I had to look up "repoussoir." Creating a sense of depth is a priority for me--it's nice to know the term for this technique.

Cheers,
Kent