Monday, January 12, 2009

Jefferson Memorial



Another new experience courtesy of DSFDF. Painting a night scene is something I have been thinking about for awhile, so it was neat to see this challenge come up. Karin's tips were very useful, as I started on a black surface for the first time and worked to light. I really liked it and found drawing with white paint an interesting alternative from the burnt umber which I usually use. With this change, I didn't have to cover dark, hard lines and found that this piece came together really quite quickly. All told, approximately 2 1 /2 hours...fast for me. Even with my new camera, photography is still an issue. It's all about the lighting!

oil on masonite 

 8" x 6 1/2"

20 comments:

  1. GREAT job, Vern! I really like the light coming from within the monument and the way the landscape is reflecting the moonlight - VERY nice!

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  2. I agree with Edward!! The reflections are wonderful! They add so much to the piece! Beautiful job!

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  3. Great Job on this Vern! I like the way you brought up the light on the road. It really leads you into the composition nicely!!
    Thanks for your kind words about my Portrait of Janet. Sorry it took so long for me to get back with you. I really like your work.

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  4. Beautiful Vern! I like the light in the foreground, subtle and effective.

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  5. Your reflections are very nice, Vern! It looks like a night I would like to be standing looking at this memorial. I am so busy with other stuff, I am letting this one slide by for now. See you on the next one.

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  6. Vern I like the lighting in and around the building. I have painted on a black support using acrylic paints before, and learned that it was not so easy to bring up the colors. The colors on your painting are wonderful!

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  7. Very nice!! I love the reflective light through the monument and onto the street.

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  8. Thank you all very much for the wonderful comments. Bits of light can be so powerful in a painting, especially in a night or dark situation. Thanks for the positives on this one, as I wasn't sure how far to take it.

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  9. What a great take on this! You've really captured a nighty feel here!

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  10. Thank you Adebanji and Nancy, I really appreciate you stopping by and commenting.

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  11. Thanks Vern for the nice comments on the painting. The photograph came out too much on the green side. Good job on yours, I always like the more painterly approach.

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  12. What I love the most is that, at least to me, it looks like it was just raining and everything is glistening in the moonlight. Also, you achieved a wonderful softness with looser painting and yet architecturally it holds up, the construction of the memorial looks solid. Super composition too. Maybe a black base is a good trick for you?!

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  13. Thanks Jerry and Camille, I've been trying to loosen up and I'm hoping the workshop with Liz will help with that.

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  14. Vern you nicely captured the evening sky and how the lights danced around the landscape well done!

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  15. Hi Vern!- I agree with Jerry and Camille regarding your painterly approach! I think it was your treatment of the sky that sparked something with me when I was getting started last night. Very nice!

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  16. Hi Vern, thank you for your wonderful compliment about my momorial painting.

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  17. Erica and Tom, Thank you very much for your kind remarks.

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  18. Great job Vern...the lighting is fantastic as is the brushwork!

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  19. Thanks Theresa, looks like we just crossed paths.

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