Saturday, January 14, 2012

NEW WIP - Whimsical Carving

This is my first post of 2012 although we are almost halfway through January! My daughter spent time with us and then, since the beginning of this week, my mother is here recuperating from carpal tunnel surgery. This does not mean that I have not painted at least a bit every day.

I am currently working on a 16" X 16" watercolor of a most fascinating stone carving I discovered, not in Venice this time, but in my own city of Ottawa:  a new building housing a well-known stonemason company boasts 3 whimsical, but beautiful,  heads carved in stone. Here are images of my WIP depicting, with artistic license, one of them:
I am finding it very challenging, but I am enjoying the process, especially trying to show the tool marks in the stone. This is not something that is still visible in the old Venetian mascaroni that I have painted.... I am somewhat hesitant to attack the other eye which is mostly in shadows...I think that it will make or break this painting.

The paper is 140lb SP Fabriano Artistico. I like its bright white color and how easy it is to lift on this paper...as long as it's not glued down to a wood panel as I sometimes do.

Thank you for having a look and do leave me your comments...I always appreciate so much your feedback!
Enjoy your weekend!

13 comments:

  1. Hi Christiane. So nice to see your new painting. I love the word, "whimsical", which attracts my attention every time. This is starting off beautifully. I love the color combination of blues and orange/brown. There is a lovely lightness to it all as well. Fear not the eye in shadow. It shall all be splendid. By for now, and Happy New Year to you.

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  2. Ross, you are in fact the master of "whimsical":-) I thank you so much for your confidence and support,,, I will do my best with that eye!

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    1. Oops...my reply to you, Ross, left before I had a chance to wish you all the best for 2012!

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  3. Coming along great - it's always scary when they start out so good (if you are like me, we hope not to ruin them somewhere along the way!) I'm glad you are enjoying the process, that's how it should be, just enjoying the journey! Interesting thought about the tool marks, and how great that you have found a new resource for these paintings. I'll bet there are many more of these hiding on the old buildings in Ottawa.

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    1. Deb, I think that I am always a bit scared throughout a painting even though I really enjoy the process. I think that I have half a dozen or so potential local carvings lined up for future paintings. For some reason, I really like working on these stone structures.

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  4. Looking great and looking forward to see the rest come into its own. Happy to see you posting and hope all is going well on the home front.

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    1. Thank you Ann! My mother is in pain and will probably stay with me for a few more days. I should have another progress picture of this WIP in a few days.

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  5. Look forward to following your process on this one. The value changes in the blues are coming along beautifully.

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by, Laura! As mentioned above, I will try to post a progress picture in a few days.

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  6. Wow! This one is looking fantastic! I LOVE the blue contrasted with the warm colors. I can't wait to see the finished painting!

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    1. I will certainly do my best not to disappoint you too, too much, Theresa:-) I will post a progress picture later on this week. Take care and Happy 2012!

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  7. Beautiful! It's always fascinating to see the artist's process. Glad you found inspiration in your own home town.
    Happy Painting from a fellow Canadian!
    Nora

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    1. Nora, I am very pleased that you have found my blog...and I have now found yours:-)
      When I post pictures of a work in progress, it gives me an extra incentive to work hard on the piece:-)

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