Sanctuary #4 - Finished

[Neverstsfyd]

I tried posting this on the structured critique forum but it kept upchucking.

Colored pencil only on cold press Canson illustration board. I'm experimenting on different boards.

I love the photo I'm working from but I'm thinking the whole painting is too much in the orange/brown/red colors. I'm needing something to to tone it down maybe?
The smaller stained glass windows are figured like the tops but are washed out with sunlight coming through them. Should I continue with the completion of the stained glass down those windows?
maybe I need Something of a cooler color to draw the eye to? Even the carpet is beige.
Critique away! You won't hurt my feelings.
I didn't like the light blue casting from the windows on the pews. I felt it to be an optical trick by the camera's lens. Should i go back and add it?

[douglass]

Maybe it was from the camera lens...maybe not! but the blue/violet is a good contrast to the reddy browns!
This is looking really good!

[TessDB]

You're off to a really great start with this.
The architecture and design of this reminds me of the church I grew up in. And, if memory serves, light would reflect and puddle on the pews very much like your ref photo. I think adding it back in will help push the feeling of *brightness* and *light* in the space and, as Lynette says, offer some variation for all the brown/orange going on.

I'd also really work on the shadows at this point. Get them nice and cool and deep so the lightness of the windows and the warmth of the wood have something to contrast with.

Looking forward to your next update.
Rosemary

[clydeine]

Nice start. I love architectural pieces. There is something about buildings that are beautiful. This is a nice piece, very warm with the wood and sunshine. Looking forward to updates!

[KarenESP]

Beautiful work - Great start!

[paulalee]

rosemary has some very good tips for you. right now there's not much contrast. i'd push the high lights and shadows. working with warms and cools more with create the feeeling of the cool interior and bright sunlight. i'd also really bump the colors in your windows. this will push the feeling of sunlight and warmth coming thru the windows. really pay attention to the different colors and tones in the pews. right now it looks like you're heading in a direction where they're all pretty much the same.

the only thing that really bothers me is the first brick panel on our left.because of the direction of your strokes it lookes like it's coming out into the room. it also might help that feeling if you left out what ever is in front of the pulpit so you could see the angle of the wall meeting the floor.

i think it's going to be a beautiful piece. anxious to see some updates.

[Neverstsfyd]

Here is the blue violet highlight I started. I had to erase the red/yellow on the pews. I bought an electric Staedler 527 00. I really like it! I saw a review online from a pro artist. He compared the cheap battery ones through the rechargeables to the electrics. Fascinating.

I will work more on the shadows and highlights. There are bricks that have been relieved about a half inch on each wall. I'm having trouble with the mortar lines keeping them straight. Better lighting and some magnifying glasses should help.

The item in front of the pulpit is the baptismal font.

[Neverstsfyd]

Some more work. I took out the baptismal font. The existing carpet is beige and maroon. What do you think of a seafoam green carpet? Just to set the reddish browns off.

[KarenESP]

Outstanding work - this project would be overwhelming for me - you have courage!

[bib]

Wow, it's coming along very nicely! I could imagine a seafoam green carpet, if you would like to have a bold and bright piece.

[gale Prosser Shuba]

Coming along very nicely. I think you have done well in capturing the photo.
Very nice!

[Jazz]

Beautifully captured and I particularly love the reflections of the stained glass on the Pew backs you have done a superb job with a very tricky composition and I agree that a seafoam floor would work very nicely and complete a vibrant piece.

[nelvia]

This is a workshop for colorists, thanks for sharing. Coming along just great. Love all the textures you are creating.

[aphid dew]

I love the light reflecting from the pews. It looks great in your painting. I don't know about the carpet color. I always have trouble imagining what colors will look like next to each other. Maybe you could color a small piece of paper and hold it up against the picture to see how it would look. This looks like a real challenging reference photo and you are doing wonderfully! Suzanne

[Neverstsfyd]

Thank you all! I did the colored paper aphid dew, and decided to try the ~yech~ beige first. I can always add the green. Some more value to the shadows, more detail and value to the pews, a little sunshine coming in on the right angled bricks next to the windows. I need some more light color on the mortar in between the bricks but white won't work, too much pencil already on them. I'm afraid to try and scratch it in. Any suggestions?