Mysterious painting; name TBA...WIP

[fishfan]

I'll tell you the name and back-story when it's done. I've been thinking about the reference photo for almost two years, but finally figured out what was missing. C&C welcome. Ed

[GJWZ]

how about softening the edges of the diagonals pointing toward the figure? The iron work in front especially attracts my eye and i keep going there instead to the figure in back. The shadow edge, too? And even though the barn is sunlit, maybe toning it down a little so the eye goes back to the figure. It is a tough one! Maybe warming up the space around the figure? a really pale warm blue or yellow?

[TamaraB]

Can't wait to hear the story behind this. The realism of the wood is awesome.

The girl peeking through from the other side adds a scary vibe to it. Can't say why...

[ticktock01]

Ed,
I like this a lot. The wood texture and grain is excellent. I like the way you handled the light on the upper part of the red wood, darkening as you went lower in the painting. I like the shadows too. The only nitpick I have is the perspective and the shadow of the iron work. It is somehow out of kilter a bit.
Overall it I think it is very nice.

[SammyH]

Ed, when were you here to photograph my house? You captured it so well. The wood looks weathered, rotted and faded with lots of nice grain and colors. I'm looking forward to hearing the story and learning the mystery??? Keep us posted.

[Pat Isaac]

Love that wood texture...and the first thing I see is the figure. Anxious to hear the story.

Pat

[halthepainter]

Ed, love your textures.

???The Ghost of Sheds Past???
???The Lady in the Shed???

[fishfan]

Thanks for the thoughtful comments, Pat, Sammy, Hal, Tam, Gloria, and Terry. Gloria...this is still a work in progress and I had already planned to have a yellowish background for the figure. The bright barn wood areas were not complete and they have already recieved some details and toning down. As for the diagonals....they were a happy "accident" and a feature which actually propelled me to start the painting, once I had a focal point.

Hal, I like your title suggestions, but I have another in mind. Here is some reading and information that might point you in the right direction:

http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuille...s-of-don-jose/

http://www.essentialart.com/acatalog...Maelstrom.html

[halthepainter]

Originally Posted by fishfan

Hal, I like your title suggestions, but I have another in mind. Here is some reading and information that might point you in the right direction:

http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuille...s-of-don-jose/

http://www.essentialart.com/acatalog...Maelstrom.html

AH HAA

[SammyH]

Hal, I like your title suggestions, but I have another in mind. Here is some reading and information that might point you in the right direction:

http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuille...s-of-don-jose/

http://www.essentialart.com/acatalog...Maelstrom.html[/quote]

Now I see what you have in mind. Should be interesting.

[Flycatcher10]

Hi Ed: I thought I had posted. I didn't read your references yet, but the first thing I thought of was a ghost figure - wondering if I'm close and now I'm curious.

Wow, you really nailed the wood in this painting! It's got a perfect rough texture, nice coloring and great shadows. This is a very cool painting.

[maryinasia]

gorgeous wood ... looking forward to updates

[fishfan]

I think the painting is done, but I'm still up in the air about the title. If anyone read the citations I referenced above, you know that the figure represents a well known portion of a masterpiece by Velazquez. The actual person was a member of the royal court...Jose Nieto Velazquez. It's not clear whether he was actually related to Diego Velazquez. When I recently viewed the open window (with some sunlit vegetation) in my reference photo, I immediately thought of the Velazquez painting (Las Meninas). I'm not sure why. Aside from being very familiar with The Velazquez painting, I think I might have had a subconscious connection to some of Dali's or Picasso's paintings, but not to a specific one I remembered. I decided to put the figure in my painting and came up with a silly working title..."Jose, can you see?". While that still makes me chuckle....as does "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition", and "Rear Window", I'm still not satisfied with a title I want to keep. Right now, I'm using "The Visitor". Any better suggestions out there? I'm all ears.

[reeta]

Hi Ed,
Terrific finish on this one! I love the mystery of this piece. Wish I could help you out with a title, but unfortunately I stink at coming up with names.

Perhaps "untitled"....which might let the viewer read what they want to in the figure rather than a title that suggests it for you. Sometimes I think less is more. Just a thought.

Ree

[SammyH]

Ed, great wood texture and grain and purple shadow falling on the barn. I like this very much. Well done, as usual.