Sisters WIP

Skybird · #1 10-27-2006, 01:43 AM

Some time back I complleted a painting of Pele and decided it would be nice to have a two-piece series by painting Pele's older sister Namaka. If this is not your first time to hear the story of these two Polynesian Godesses, then by all means move on to the artwork. Otherwise, I think your enjoyment of the paintings will be augmented by knowing the legend behind these two sisters. Both sisters were born in Tahiti. Namaka was never pleased with her siter Pele, who was the goddess of fire and volcanos and fire. Namaka felt that Pele's powers were, in the main very destructive. Herein was the basis of their sibling rivaly. The uneasy peace between the two sister was forever torn asunder when Namaka found that Pele had seduced her husband. Pele fled Tahiti and sailed north in her sailboat. After a time, Pele finally came upon the Hawaiian Islands. Landing on Kuaii, she took her magical Oo stick and plunged it into the ground, creating a volcano as her new home. It was not long before Namaka found Pele and using her powers as Goddess of the Sea, send a flood to destroy Pele's home. Pele fled down island, trying again and again to build her home on ground high enough that Namaka would be unable to reach her. Pele was successful in finally building a home on the big island of Hawaii that was secure from Namaka's wrath. Pele still lives in Hawaii and is revered by all. Namaka, presumably returned to Tahiti and still reigns as supreme Goddess of the Sea. Portrayed are Namaka and Pele in their environments, wearing headdresses that proclaim for all to see, their dominion over the earth and
seas.

I started with rough sketches of the two sisters, not entirely sure how they would evolve into finished paintings. here are the initial sketches:

Namaka

Pele

**painterbear** · #2 10-27-2006, 06:16 AM

Hi Skybird,
Thanks for telling us the legend of the two sisters. I look forward to watching your development of these two paintings.

Sylvia

Skybird · #3 10-27-2006, 03:05 PM

Since faces are definitely the most difficult portion of the painting, I do these first. If I foul up, then starting over doesn't leave me in trauma and depression. So here are the faces of Namaka and Pele.....

NAMAKA

PELE

Sorry, Pele came out a bit overexposed. Tomorrow, I'll have the hair on Pele and the backgrounds for both sisters finished. Namaka's background will be shades of blue, representing her dominion over the sea, while Pele's background will be the darkness just before sunrise lit by the fires of volcanic activity.

Skybird · #4 10-28-2006, 02:36 AM

I've spent the day painting. My tongue is chapped from sticking out of my mouth as I work. Here's what I have so far. I think I'll slow down a bit over the next few days...Take some time to evaluate what I've done. What do you think?

NAMAKA

**painterbear** · #5 10-28-2006, 04:13 AM

I think both background colors are very fitting for their subjects. Namaka's looks like the color of the sea and the fiery glow of a volcano is behind Pele.

I'm not sure if the darks at the bottom of Namaka's portrait and the left side of Pele's aren't a little too dark though, especially Pele's. Maybe when you get more finished that will work out.

Sylvia

aszurblue · #6 10-28-2006, 12:22 PM

Oh these are coming along sooooo good... Wish I could do faces like you do!
What kind of watercolors are you using? Great job, keep them coming

Azure

Skybird · #7 10-28-2006, 01:49 PM

I very much enjoy feedback so thank you for your comments.

Sylvia - I took both pictures without a flash. They are somewhat less dark than they appear. I'll use a flash on the next update. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground. Either the light parts come out too light or the dark parts come out too dark. Perhaps if I move the camera back a ways from the subject and use the flash, I'll be able to get the correct values.

Azure - Thank you for the kind comments. I use W&N paints mainly. Flesh tones are Alizaren, Cobalt blue, New Gamboge (more cobalt and Alizaren in Pele's painting than in Namaka's). In other paintings I have also used French Ultramarine, Alizaren, Raw Sienna with a touch of Holbein's Brilliant Pink. I use very very light washes and immediately loose all edges with clean water and then dry thoroughly before laying down the next layer. I can't stress too much the need to dry frequently. I work with a hair dryer alongside at all times. As I progress, I'll add more crimson or blue to the original wash, depending on whether I want warmer or cooler shadowing. On ocassion, I will scrub an area with a #10 shader and clean water and then blot which will give an ever so subtle highlight. I think a finished painting has at least 8 to 9 layers. There will probably be at least 3 glazes on top to darken the skin tones to Polynesian complexions but I'm going to save that until last I think.

Ed

**painterbear** · #8 10-28-2006, 04:51 PM

Ed,
If possible, try to photograph your painting outside in natural light. Lay it flat on the ground or a step in the shade (not in sunlight) and shoot straight down at it, framing it in your viewfinder as close in size as you can.

I think you will find it is easier to get a more natural look to your colors that way. Of course, it still never looks exactly the same as it does in person.

And some colors just don't cooperate with the camera very well.

Sylvia

Skybird · #9 10-28-2006, 05:55 PM

Sylvia, I used your suggestion about photographing in outside light. I got some interesting results. Namaka turned out very well for background colors but the flesh tones we definitely blued. Pele looked really bad in northern light but quite attractive in southern light. All photos were taken in bright shade. I think it is a very viable way of producing quality photos bearing in mind that northern light will favor blue and southern light will favor yellow. Okay....now if I could just do a double exposure...

Here are the results.....

NAMAKA in northern light

PELE in southern light (she looked terrible in northern light)

**painterbear** · #10 10-29-2006, 05:26 AM

The darks look much better now, Ed.

I never thought about northern and southern exposures.

I'll try that next time I have a painting to photograph.

Sylvia

CharM · #11 10-29-2006, 07:13 AM

I don't get to the Studio often enough... but, I'm certainly glad I visited this morning... Your Sisters are coming along beautifully... their skin tones are wonderful... Namaka's hair flows!! The backgrounds in both pieces are very dramatic and exciting...

The difference in exposure between northern and southern light is really interesting... and I'm going to try the same experiment when taking my own photos... thank you!!!

Skybird · #12 10-29-2006, 11:48 PM

Thank you Char for the nice comments. I seem to recall that French artists preferred a loft with a northern exposure. Do you suppose that it was because they would be forced to paint with warmer hues in order to overcome the blue in the ambient light? I'm guessing that the blue is a reflection of the northern sky......well...maybe

Anyone out there that can enlighten me?

I took the day off from painting but I'm going to try and get some work done on Namaka's sea serpent tomorrow. I'm going to lay down a heavy coat of Cd yellow and then a transparent coat of blue on top. I think it will read as green and somewhat iridescent. I then want to scale the body with alternating bands of Alizaren Crimson and Prussian Blue.

laudesan · #13 10-30-2006, 06:19 AM

Oh my gosh your paintings are going to be so beautiful!!!

Can't wait for your next update..

Cheers JJ

aszurblue · #14 10-30-2006, 10:13 AM

Ed, thank You so much for telling us the colors you are using... This is just coming along so beautiful! Have you ever considered writing a book?? Hint, hint

Azure

Skybird · #15 10-30-2006, 04:46 PM

Wow Azure! I'm flattered out of my shoes but in no way am I qualified to even consider writing an article, let alone a book. I do however enjoy posting WIP's on my stuff. On the bright side, if I paint for an audience, I will always attempt to do my best. On the dark side, I may seldom take the necessary chances that lead to my growth as an artist. Since I'm so new at this game, I don't really have an ego or reputation to protect ,so failure is always an acceptable option to success.

Ed

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