Last week I found a new painting challenge while viewing Dana Cooper's blog. She had painted the given photo beautifully and I was inspired to try my hand at it. Artist and photographer Lee Brown's blog "A Day Not Wasted" is posting a new painting challenge for anyone who wants to created art from his gorgeous photo. Each month he will post a new photo and I'm looking forward to seeing what he offers based on March's photo of this beautiful church in Colorado Springs.
This was definitely a challenge for me. The architecture alone was a challenge. I didn't even think about attempting it without a detail drawing to get the proportions and perspective correct. I don't often do landscapes and the trees really stumped me. I wiped them twice before settling on these after working through the placement of the sky holes and getting the shapes pleasing. I'm still learning how to simplify elements and shapes, and had a strong image in my mind of the desired painting, but my fingers and brushes are still learning.
The one area that developed how I envisioned it was the sunlit steeple. I love the thick paint and simple shapes. Many of the other areas were wiped a couple of times before reaching the finish. In the beginning I was making a complete mess of the trees and after studying other admired artists I saw some progress. Toward the end I turned my back for just a moment and those little bitty brush fairies came out from hiding and went to town. I haven't figured out yet how to keep them from invading at the end of paint sessions. :D It was a great challenge and I learned a lot.
sold
This was definitely a challenge for me. The architecture alone was a challenge. I didn't even think about attempting it without a detail drawing to get the proportions and perspective correct. I don't often do landscapes and the trees really stumped me. I wiped them twice before settling on these after working through the placement of the sky holes and getting the shapes pleasing. I'm still learning how to simplify elements and shapes, and had a strong image in my mind of the desired painting, but my fingers and brushes are still learning.
The one area that developed how I envisioned it was the sunlit steeple. I love the thick paint and simple shapes. Many of the other areas were wiped a couple of times before reaching the finish. In the beginning I was making a complete mess of the trees and after studying other admired artists I saw some progress. Toward the end I turned my back for just a moment and those little bitty brush fairies came out from hiding and went to town. I haven't figured out yet how to keep them from invading at the end of paint sessions. :D It was a great challenge and I learned a lot.
sold
8 comments:
Wow Marilyn, this is fabulous!! You really captured the majesty of the building.
The brush fairies visit us all at times, what are you going to do?
This is gorgeous, Marilyn. Excellent color harmony.
It is beautiful, well done
Wow! Was just over at Lee's blog. This is a fantastic painting, Marilyn.. I think this particular architecture was particularly tough because of those buttresses, but you nailed it! Brava!
Beautiful job, Marilyn - well done!
Beautiful, Marilyn! Those trees are great. The light on the steeple is a real grabber!
It is a success, Marilyn, wonderful!
I love what you did with this painting. Love the trees, and the colors on the building. beautiful.
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