Painting - After the fire 1

After the fire 1.

Last summer we had a severe grass-fire on the hills around our home.  I took photos on the day, and then some later when the flames had died down. 

This rather dull image features partly fragmented snail-shells and charred earth.  Some of the shell remained light in tone even after the fire.

 I wanted to make a painting of this, so zoomed in on a tiny section on which to base the painting.  Taking a closer look, it was possible to see more colours than I did from the large image; light tones of the mineral calcium of the shell and darks of the carbonised soil.  It set me thinking, that even when things look destroyed and dead, the raw materials of renewal are still present.

Painting - crochet coffee break

I'm making slipper socks for the chillier weather and made a drawing for this still life during my coffee break.  I needed to finish the slippers, so I added notes to remind myself of tonal values and colours so I could paint it later.

Garden painting

This is a painting of the view from one of my kitchen windows.  It's the result of a series of studies I made;  sketch, line drawing, tonal study, colour study and finally the painting, which I made by referring to the studies and written notes.  Helpful practice, as it's not always possible to paint while observing the actual subject.

 

Painting and photo sketch #119

A very quick study.

I decided to increase the drama of the original photo composition by bringing the photographers closer to the car as it exited the corner. Using low-tech editing, ie scissors, I cut around the figures and the section of the corner on which they were standing and stuck it down further over to the left.

I tried to find some colour in the greyness of the rocks and dust and added plant life. Also some flying rocks to demonstrate the ferocity of the handbrake-turn maneuvre, together with blurring on the car.

Painting and photo sketch #118

#118

I lay down in the grass to get the shot that the tv camera-man missed. I chose it to develop as I like the silhouettes; tv man and also the spectators on the hill.  I cropped away the front of the car, acknowledging that the rally car is gone already, and blurred it's outline to show speed/movement hopefully.

 

Painting and photo sketch #115

#115

Today's sketch study is inspired by a photo taken in a children's playground. 

Painting and photo sketches #114

#114

The inspiration for this sketch was what seemed to be a very boring family photograph.  Until I noticed the expressions on the faces of the girls.

Painting and photo sketches #113

#113

I'm beginning a series working in different ways with photographs.  Firstly in my sketchbook working directly into the photo image with acrylic paint to redefine the composition, colour and tones.

 

 There's a story attached to the original photograph, which concerns a visit my son made to the shop with our grandson, who got bored and decided to join the window display. His pose earned him a round of applause from a grinning street audience. Fortunately his father allowed an encore especially for the camera... which I'm now having more fun with in my sketchbook.