As time goes by, Casablanca...

[alangraham]

So, I actually haven't painted anything yet, but was wondering what other's thoughts were on how to? And yes, I know about copyright laws so attempting to sell or make money off it should be out of the question. However, this is SUCH a great movie, and song, that I really want to do something.

I was watching this scene last night and took a quick picture of the scene with Sam singing the song while Rick drinks himself stupid. Such a classic movie scene of a broken heart/reminiscent about the past.

It'd like to do it in color, but with only a minute amount. I'm thinking a lot of black will surround the overall picture with bright white highlights. Maybe some very mild skin tones, brown on the table, and blue for the bottle. Also thinking of just cropping the windows in the background. I also tried to locate color photos for reference, but they're someone lacking in appeal. Not sure if any of you are familiar with the Turner recoloring issue of the 80s.

I'll do a sketch and maybe even start today and post some pics. The current one, obviously, is from my camera.

regards,

[reeta]

Hey Cory,
Do you ever sit still? LOL. Just kidding, I admire your ability to produce so many great paintings!

I really like this shot, and I think it has your writing all over it. I won't give any thoughts on "how to", as I think you have some great ideas and your instincts always prove wonderful results.

Can't wait to see this when you have finished.

Ree

[alangraham]

Ree,

Haha, yes I sit still when I'm working .

I'll probably work out a draft today, but knowing me, I'll still working on it right away. Thinking of applying either a large first area of black acrylic paint for all the shadows/night or use India ink. The ink is easier, so might try that.

regards,

[alangraham]

Quick sketch with pencil and charcoal...

As always, I'll have to even out his face more and hands. Ugh, hands are just so dang hard!

regards,

[halthepainter]

Cory, just Humphrey and the bottle, in your style should disguise the scene adequately enough that you could avoid any copyright issues. You might want to change the title of your piece so you don't refer back to copyrighted material.

[Pat Isaac]

You have to be so careful with copyright materials. I see no problem if this is for your own pleasure and I agree with Ree about it being you style.

Pat

[alangraham]

Here's what I got done...

I love the colors as I pretty much made them up going off of a black and white pic.

I wanted everything to be dark, as in shadows, and you can especially see this in Rick's face (on the right looking down) and Sam (his body fading into blackness). Rick's face somewhat bothers me, and I may extend some fleshtones up into the blue area.

regards,

[alangraham]

issues uploading...

[alangraham]

More touch up. Think I'm done.

I also think if you don't know who this is, you might be confused. I really want to name it As Time Goes By or something, but will probably just call it Piano Player and the Fool.

I also feel this is very, very Post-Impressionistic. I say this as I'm much reminded of Gauguin.

regards,

[Pat Isaac]

I do like the colors, Cory, especially how you have carried that yellow green throughout the painting. Yes, very Gaughin like.

Pat

[alangraham]

Pat--I'm glad you like the colors. I didn't want to get too colorful on this one. Also, green just seemed to fit with all the blue.

After looking at it fresh this morning, I may rework his left hand a bit to make it more like a clenched fist. It's clenched, but not in a normal way. I also think Rick's face is OK, but can be improved--perhaps some lines beneath his eyes? His lips are rather thin, too.

As many of you know, my strong suit isn't faces, so changing something always leaves me a bit hesitant. I do want this to be a strong painting, so treading into more unknown waters might be a must, haha.

regards,

[gakinme]

Alan, of all the body parts, fingers and hands are the most difficullt for me. Looking forward to seeing your new hand.

Do you want to make this into a cartoony character as it is now with buggy eye? Or do you have the intention to make it a little bit more serious?

At the moment, the eye is hanging out and almost monster like, which I find is charming. Go into any coffeeshop and you see an eye like that, it will make you look twice what the artist has created.

But say if you are planning a new piece one day and want a more conventional looking eye, there is enough of the face you have drawn to make the eye smaller and give it a rim of flesh like you did in your charcoal drawing.

For the shaded side of the face, you might want to consider following the contour of the face in shading. At the moment, you have a very dark patch right across the whole face on the shaded side and it could be halved to show some cheeks.

I've lightened the photo for you and hope you don't mind.

[alangraham]

Sandra,
Thanks for the comment. This piece is done and I'll leave it be. When I get better at faces (I hope ), I'd for sure like to redo it.

To me, the bulging eye and dark half of his face really helps add drama and, well, perhaps anger in how he's feeling. After all, his heart is laying somewhere on the floor with a heel print...

regards,

[SammyH]

I lkie this. Yes the style does take after Gaughan.

[alangraham]

Thanks, Sammy. I think I'm reminded of Gauguin because of the the tone or blues. Not sure why.

regards,
Cory