I guess I am starting to finish the painting. I could be painting it many days more but surely I would not improve it. I was working on the water. Basically, I used a dark brown for the side nearest to the trees that I was lightning gradually. Then I added the reflections of the trees. The teacher said I only had to add a few of them. I have no idea if we will add the others the next day. It seems incomplete to me. Once I painted the reflections, I blurred them. I also added some touches of dark greens and reds.
Also I work on the island in the foreground. I used the small fan brush like I did the last week. I used cadmium yellow and ochre. It has light colors. I used the same colors for the grass to the left of the trees and the area near to the mountains.
Finally I added the shadows of the trees. It changed drastically the painting. I am happy with this area. I think it is the only area which I am happy (better partially happy). The light goes from left to right, so all the right area has darker tones than the left one.
What’s the next? Really I don’t know. I have not worked on the path neither the house behind the trees. I should work on the trees: they require some branches, now they seem posts. They mountain also needs some work, maybe I will use the magical fan brush.
Very pretty! I’d love to see you do a second version of this same painting where you use much lighter, almost white highlights, and really deep shadows. It would be so fun to see them side by side.
Interesting… I must use a photograph for my next painting because the teacher want to introduce us in the use of colors. Really I should paint a real subject but as the classroom is in a basement, the light is not good and we do not have good subjects either. However, it is a very good idea for a different medium. Thanks!
Elegant painting. Thanks for sharing Nonoy Manga
Thanks for commenting.
Your creative world is getting bigger and you’ll do well whatever you set your hands too!
Thank you, Jane! It was a great suggestion that I should explore new mediums. Thanks for that, too.
Today I’m seeing the painting in a different way. The time changes our perceptions.
Great work, I am soon to paint my first work since several years again, share the same fears. If I can say something.. the mountain shadow is on the left and You said “The light goes from left to right” ?
Yes, you’re right. I completely agree with you. The mountain needs some work. I didn’t like it ever. The first day it was too blueish, I had to use something between gray and purple. Then, I tried to fix that but I went too dark and it kept too blue. The last day I tried to fix it again. I asked about it to the teacher but he preferred that I worked on the other areas. Surely we’ll focus on the mountain the next day.
Thank you for commenting!
Well.. I do not mind the colors. I did an experiment and it confirmed [[[ my supposition ]]]. I cropped Your image, desaturated to greyscale, added a bit of high contrast and I see the light is coming from behind the forest, from the right (where the mountain is bright), and in front of the forest it turns back to the right. Such distraction makes the image unreal. Maybe the same is what makes You feel it’s incomplete? Sure it depends on the story You want to tell, maybe Your point is other than mine, I just share my thoughts
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, they are more than welcome!
I said colors because to me the trouble is mainly a issue with the colors: I’m trying to copy an original oil painting, that is goal for these sets of classes, I’m not interpreting the scene, I’m trying to replicate than other interpreted. Obviously it is also related to the light and where is its origin.
The mountain area is unfinished and I’m learning, so each new comment and advice is always welcomed. Thanks again.
Ok…. I thought You have a refence photo, If it is another painting that I understand the problem. Well, waiting for the finished artwork
I really love the shading on the trees and the reflections…this brings a whole new dimension to your painting…. I think this works really well. You can see clearly which side the light source comes from. Well done!!
Kel
Yes, I only needed five minutes for the shading but it changed all the painting. I’ve forgotten the importance of shading.
Thank you, Kel!
I really like how this is coming along. I was interested that you say you see something different each time you look. It might be worth just putting it aside for a time and then looking with fresh eyes so you see what you want to focus on. I am reminded of Van Goghs tree paintings in structure and colour. You might want to look at them whilst you wait to look at yours again!
It was a weird feeling. I was working on it a couple of hours yesterday. Then, I was cropping the photo and writing the post. Today I see things I didn’t yesterday, for example, the shore area, it seems almost 3D there…
I’ll be looking at the Van Gogh’s tree paintings this week and I’ll be fresh for the next lesson.
Thank you!
I love how your painting is turning out! Nice. (lol at the magical fan brush
)
I think the mountain would look more complete if you will add some bluish color as well on the top of the house that would show a bit the rest of the mountain.
About the reflection, I like it! Although you will need to draw the other trees’ reflection too. Not just four. The first tree from the left looks like it can go without the branches bec. it got more leaves than the others. (your description of them being ‘posts’ cracks me up! lol)
But overall, I like how your painting progress.
I don’t know because the teacher said I don’t must paint all the reflections. Perhaps he wants to show me another technique the next day.
Yes, the leftmost tree has more foliage. In fact there are several trunks there, I think it is a different tree in the original painting, too. Perhaps there is more water in that area! lol
Thank you so much, Mel!
Thank you for sharing this process, Nuno. I like the painting. The water in front is wonderful “dark” and the flowers on the left are really there; it creates depth in contrast to the background. You wrote this is made as a copy of another painting; which painting?
I don’t remember the artist. He is a Spanish artist. The teacher has several binders and boxes with photos and catalogues. The first day we had to select one of those photos. I chose a painting from an exhibition catalogue. I’ll try to remember the name or take a photo the next day.
Thank you, Hanneke.
Yes, I think the trees need to be fuller at least as much as the one to the far left. As the light is coming from the left the right near edge trees should have darker colors I think. The focal point for me is the trees and would leave the house and mountain as they are. Except pirang is right – the mountain shadow should be on the right. I am eager to see how you decide to finish. You have helped me relearn some things and learn new things as well.
The teacher will give some indications and I will try to follow them. This time I must follow his comments… otherwise I think I am with the same painting the whole course…
Thank for the comment, Carl. The best comment that I could read is that these posts have helped or they are useful.
I really really like the trees and their shadows. Maybe you could switch the shadows of the mountain like other people commented, just don’t touch the trees! (just kidding, do whatever you want!). I love the house at the back… How much more are are you going to work on it? It is starting to feel like a finished work
Don’t worry! I will not touch the trees! lol
I thought I was going to finish it in the last class. The “initial idea” was to paint three or four oil paintings and review some techniques as watercolors and pastels… The course are 10 sessions, 2 hours each one. This one was the fifth.
I want to finish the next class. At least I’d use the next four classes for a second oil painting. I must use a photo in this second painting. I can leave the watercolors and pastels for the next course. In fact I’d prefer to focus on oil.
Well you don’t need to review techniques in watercolor painting!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…”This painting gets better looking each time I see it!” I love the new additions and the reflection in the water is wonderful!
I trust you will mail this piece to me when you are finished.
Hugs, xx
Today is the next session. I’ll be posting a photo with the new additions. I hope it will be the final.
Thank you, I’d send it to you but I already promise I’d give it to another person. However, I already did something for you. I’ll be posting it in a few days…
You did something just for me?….I can hardly wait to see!
Hugs, xx
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