Wohlford Lake Rocks

[rsmith.1141]

A perfect day in Southern Cal so I decided to try out my new Heilman backpacker box. I think I'm gonna like it a lot.

These are some rocks I found up by Lake Wohlford here in north San Diego County. Looking at this now I'm wondering if the background woods need to be cooled down a bit. Can't tell. What do ya think?

Thanks for looking...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/28-Mar-2010/137729-_MG_0569-9.jpg
9 x 12 pastel on Uart paper


Here's the quick watercolor underpainting:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/28-Mar-2010/137729-_MG_0566.jpg

Cheers,

[Kathryn Wilson]

Thanks for showing the underpainting!

I agree, the background needs to be cooled a bit - the rocks are cool and then you have the warm browns - perhaps putting some of the warm browns in the rocks will tie the painting together a bit more.

Good job on the rock shapes!

[Paula Ford]

Oooooo, this is gorgeous!! I agree with Kathryn about the background.

[BetsyPriesing]

Randy Nice rocks they look great. I like the little lines on them, they look good in comparison to the more organic shapes of the rocks themselves.
I like the idea of muting down the background a bit more with cooler colors, I like the rocks as they are, the layering is done very well.
good job!

[BetsyPriesing]

:)

[DAK723]

This is excellent! Agree that cooling the background might be better.

Don

[Ruthie57]

Lovely rocks!! What about cooling the BG down a little, but not too much, and introduce a little of the orange shades into the foreground bushes at each side? Just a thought. It may not work as it could draw attention away from the rocks.

[allydoodle]

Beautiful plein aire! Love the underpainting too! I agree that the background could be cooler. Your rocks rock! :cool:

[rsmith.1141]

Hi all,

Thanks for all of the nice comments and suggestions. Here is a corrected version with a cooler background. Better? Now I see I'll need to correct some other temperatures. ;)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-Mar-2010/137729-_MG_0569-2.jpg

Thanks...

[Paula Ford]

Just beautiful Randy! I was hoping you were going to use some green and blues in the background :D

[IMaybe]

:wave: Oh yes, a very good cooler background--just right. Can you show us your new heilman box? I have the pastel box, medium, and would love to see the backpacker style! I love plein-air and am glad to see you out there, too!

[rsmith.1141]

Can you show us your new heilman box?
Someone else was asking me about it so I'll try to take a photo or two.

Thanks....

[prestonsega]

I like..a lot!

[rsmith.1141]

Thanks, Paula and Preston...

[Dcam]

Wow: You knew just what to do. the second version is right-on. Super. Nailed it!!! Enjoyed the transformation, Derek

[Kathryn Wilson]

The work in the bg is just right!

[Mary Brigid]

The change you made has made a huge difference ! The rocks are fantastic and thank you so much for showing your underpainting. I really like this
Mary Brigid

[annette71]

Lovely work...

Annette