Tuscan-izing a guest bathroom

Ruth · #1 03-01-2008, 04:15 PM

Myrtle Beach is turning into Little Tuscany, all these new Tuscany-style houses being built around here! These clients wanted something old-world looking in their guest bathroom, similar to a painting they own. This was inspired by, but not copied from, the painting. This is just the first day's work, not finished yet. I'm going to run the faux finish all the way around both rooms, and add cracks in the plaster and more vines and stuff.

The pictures show one wall of the lavatory room, from left to right, with a real arch in the middle...

Through the arch is a little room with a toilet, this is on the wall you look at when you sit ...

Ruth

panny_mouse · #2 03-01-2008, 04:44 PM

oh Ruth, It's sooo very pretty!!! I really love studying your work, it helps and motivates me. I'm often speechless when I look at your work (well, not reeeally speechless, it's more like just babbling for the lack of meaningful words). I've really got to go back and look for that thread about painting loose. Maybe someday I'll be able to whip out gorgeous murals like you. You make it look as simple as breathing.

objectivistartist · #3 03-01-2008, 07:16 PM

Love the stonework - and the florals are so well done....

Becktoria · #4 03-01-2008, 07:57 PM

Gorgeous Ruth! WOW, I love love love this!
The highlights on the stone make it perfect!

CandlestickFlame · #5 03-01-2008, 07:59 PM

What beautiful work! Thank you for the inspiration.

CandlestickFlame

**Autumnwillow** · #6 03-01-2008, 08:40 PM

I had to check the date, I thought this was a bump up that I'd missed!

Ruth, as usual, I am agog.

I so love your greenery, and that stonework is to DIE for... I'm so jealous (in a good way, it's so cool to "know" you!) As Peggy said, you make it look as simple as breathing...

Michele

**Autumnwillow** · #7 03-01-2008, 08:41 PM

Oh, and I forgot to ask, do you use a reference for your greenery, or is that all in your head? I love the flow, the composition... just perfect...

M

debsn2paintn · #8 03-02-2008, 02:34 AM

I just added this to my favorite threads and rated it because this is just amazing Ruth! LOVE IT!

Ruth · #9 03-02-2008, 08:41 AM

Thank you, my dears!

For the greenery, I start with a fairly large ragged old brush and dark green (Hooker's green with some red mixed in) and just moosh it around to get the biggest part done. After that dries some, I go back over it with some spots of lighter green to indicate leaves coming forward. Then a smaller brush with very light green to make a few detailed leaves, and an even smaller brush to make some tendrils and individual leaves here and there.

Same process with the flowers. Red with some green mixed in, moosh it around, go back on top of that with pure red, then some red lightened with white and yellow for the tops of the flowers. A few little strokes to suggest details. It's the only way for a lazybones like me to get things done.

Shadows are added after everything is dry, with a thin glaze of burnt sienna and blue mixture.

Ruth

objectivistartist · #10 03-02-2008, 09:19 AM

Just terrific....

**Autumnwillow** · #11 03-02-2008, 12:20 PM

Ouch... if YOU'RE a lazybones, I don't even have a word to describe ME!

Thank you so much for the play-by-play and the close up, you are just incredible. I wish there was a way for me to spend an hour inside your head (not literally, ewww!), see things the way you do. I love your composition skills, your painting style, the colors you use, everything about your work...

Michele

semper · #12 03-02-2008, 02:04 PM

What Michele said! Every word! Thank you for being specific with your colors and stroke methods. What I love about this mural is that it is a very popular subject, but you manage to make yours look uncommon; not formulaic in the least. Wonderful!

jeanvrb · #13 03-02-2008, 09:52 PM

All of the things the others said, plus I really like your vine and flower shadow color of the burnt sienna and blue mix. In the photos that show some of the stone work completed, but below it is not, is a real good example of how realistic this looks as you faux it. The shadows and highlights on the face of the stone work is outstanding.

And the vines and flowers - you say all you do is just moosh the paint around a little? YEAH RIGHT!!!! This ain't like any mooshing I've ever seen.

michelle stone · #14 03-07-2008, 04:01 PM

Oh Ruth Im so happy to see this!I was really disappointed that I couldnt see this the other day when everyone was talking about this,I guess my computer was not behaving well!Your painting is awe inspiring as always and thank you so much for all the explainations about how you did this!I didnt know mooshing was a technical painting term!!kind of like when I complain that my roses look blobby!!gotta love artist talk!

bowerbird · #15 03-08-2008, 05:42 AM

wow Ruth where was i when this started ?? that look is so beautifull!! i am so impressed- makes me wish i had those nice rounded arches too

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