Old Town Stroll, painting -- FINISHED

Colorix · #1 09-08-2009, 02:09 PM

Hi guys,

Some time ago, I made a sketch (in Pans) of a street from Stockholm's Old Town, here. I wanted to do a full painting, and now it is completed. Changed format, to get rid of tons of sky (and to fit a vintage frame with mat).

Paper: Fisher 400 (sandpaper), size 16.5x19" (42x48 cm), unusually large for me. Pastels, assorted Rembrandt, AS, Senns, and Unisons, plus hard square Manet (in Europe, in US called Richeson). The latter are not great for starting layers, but are fantastic on top of other pastels, and work wonderfully to soften edges. Very transparent. I blued the bg houses with the hard square ones, it was like laying down a thin veil.

Painting:

I'm looking for other eyes: what do you find that needs fixing? How does the comp work? (So hard with streets, they're just long canyons with vertical walls.) The bike doesn't shine as much, and the fg yellows are softer, IRL.

Do you find the "joke", a touch of humour? (Or have I been too clever for my own good?) Hint: It lies in a comparison.

Oh, yes, the ref, too:

Thank you,

Charlie

IMaybe · #2 09-08-2009, 02:39 PM

This is really nice. I looked and looked at it. I like the bike, well drawn, and it would look good with light spots hitting it, as it does here. The couple in the foreground are great with light hitting them just right. The shadows are well done, I remember you telling me about shadows--how dark they aren't! You said,'" remember we can read in a shadow", and that always helps me now. Yours are well done. I like the reference photot, as close as I will ever be to Stockholm! So I appreaciate it, and your personal view as well. Like your editing, but don't get the joke. But thats just me I am sure, as I don't get jokes anyhow!!

Good work!

water girl · #3 09-08-2009, 02:49 PM

As always, you have improved on what is in the photo. It is fresh, interesting, inviting and the colors are gorgeous. No crit from me.

**DAK723** · #4 09-08-2009, 04:02 PM

Charlie,

Absolutely lovely!! The light and the colors are great, as always! The bicycle all by itself would be a wonderful painting!

But I do have a couple comments!

This is very minor, nit-picky stuff, and it also depends on your intentions, as to directing our eyes. But my eyes seem to be drawn a bit too much to their shoes, especially the two that are off the ground. The greatest contrast in the painting seems to be between the shoes and the very light road. That, plus the fact that those feet are moving, leads me to suggest the possibility of softening the edges or the reducing the value contrast a bit. Again, to perhaps suggest a little more movement, the shadows from the feet could also be softened a little bit. As usual, before I make any suggestions, I put it into photoshop, and since I did, I will share the results:

Of course, once I reduced the contrast of the couple's shoes, I had to soften the leg and shoes of the man standing behind the woman's left arm, too! Funny how one thing leads to another...

Please feel free to ignore these comments! This an extraordinary painting as is, so I am not sure whether my comments are helpful or would makes things worse! Wonderful cityscape and wonderful figures!

Don

P.S. Hmmm, didn't find the joke either. I guess it is well hidden!

Dcam · #5 09-08-2009, 04:20 PM

This a tough one to render because of the warms and cools that are plentiful.....but WOW you are a master at it Charlie. This is soooo nice. I love street scenes. The human figures add so much life. Cheers, Derek

dledmunds · #6 09-08-2009, 04:45 PM

Charlie,
This is wonderful pastel work! I really love the colors and the subject. You have taken this busy photo and created a wonderful scene of art.
My only suggestion for the next one is to have omitted the two figures in the front of the piece. The small figure in the back is very interesting and I think the two front ones distract from that. I was thinking, maybe the small figure is returning for the bike, but the two figures draw my eye to them instead. Just my thoughts. I can see why you put those figures in, they have a wonderful shadow. Excellent.

Paula Ford · #7 09-08-2009, 07:41 PM

This is excellent Charlie!

I did not read the others' comments, so please excuse this one comment if it has already been mentioned. The person who is the farthest away appears to be more in focus than the other people on the right. I would just tone that back person a bit making him/her recede more.

It is really a beautiful piece! You need to find a show and enter this one!

Tracy Lang · #8 09-08-2009, 10:54 PM

What a wonderful painting, Charlie! I love the way you edited out the unnecessary from the ref. The bike and its shadow is so well done...a painting in its own right, really.
You are too clever for me...but, I'll keep looking for the joke

Tracy

Kathryn Wilson · #9 09-08-2009, 11:27 PM

Way too cleaver for me - I looked and looked and still don't find the "joke".

Love the shadows, colors and people - I do agree with Paula that the woman in the background is too much in focus compared to the people on the right.

pastel lover · #10 09-08-2009, 11:30 PM

Hi Charlie,

I really love this one! I love the way the reflected light is bouncing around in the shadows it gives the street alot of vitality. I love the bike & ALL of the cast shadows. I love the motion you have captured in the couple holding hands & the way the two male figures on our right seem to be admiring the figure of the approaching lady. Wonderful storytelling. I have only one suggestion, you might want to check the perspective on the bottom edge of the second row of windows in second bldg. on our left. I agree with Paula, this is show material.

Tanja

DMcGowan · #11 09-09-2009, 12:08 AM

I love that bicycle!

dbjs · #12 09-09-2009, 12:31 AM

Ohh I love your color choises Charlie! It's beautiful and rich, and just a really lovely piece! Good work!

Dougwas · #13 09-09-2009, 12:52 AM

I love this one, Charlie. Yep, every plane has a different colour. Your windows have depth, as do the arches on the right side. The bike is fantastic. Great colour in the shadowed road. I keep going back to look at it again and again. Way to go, Teach.

Doug

Ceci · #14 09-09-2009, 02:20 AM

I cant see anything wrong or that I would change. Love the colors.
Ceci

Phil Bates · #15 09-09-2009, 02:46 AM

Hi Charlie,

Love the street scene, this is the kind if place my wife loves to paint.

I realize that he buildings in shade on the left are fairly bright in the photo. I would prefer something toned down --lest contrast, add a little cool bias. It could help read as "shade" better. For example, I think your yellow on that first building is stronger and brighter than your reference.

Again, just my 2 cents. I love your composition.

Phil

Salute to our Partners