I’ve been painting the Green Tunnel from looking at the photo on my laptop. The progress left me unsure of my abilities and of the results. Sometimes commissions cause this sort of insecurity. (But I’d rather paint than go to counseling).
When the print finally arrived, I was surprised by how helpful it was, in a different way than painting from the screen. I can enlarge details on the screen, but there is something more tangible (duh!) about ink on paper.
The difference here is a photo taken with a phone (above) and a photo taken with a camera (lower). Neither one does the real painting any justice.
Now, let’s see what happened when I had the printed photo to work from.
The goal is not to match the photo exactly but to make the painting be as appealing or more so. I don’t think it is finished yet, but I already like it better.
8 Comments
Oh I like it better as well!! Approval granted!!
Linda, when you see it in person, you will like it even more.
I think what we want from an artist is not only a representation of a place, it’s also about receiving a feeling when we look at the painting. You know this spot intimately, you’ve got your own emotions about it. These come through! When I come upon this glade on the nature trail, the light and the trees make me so happy! I think it harkens back to my childhood, and a sense of delight I had in finding a trail through the woods.
Joyce, you are so kind. Thank you for your words of encouragement!
I like it better, too. I also like that you’ve let in more sky than the photo. Sky is good. Yours has more detail on the fallen tree to the right of the path than the photo does. I don’t know … but it detracts me from following the path …. my eye seems to go to that fallen tree rather than down the pretty dirt road.
Thank you, Char – I will look at that. I always appreciate your honest input!
Ohhhh, that is so beautiful, Jana!!
Thank you, Leah! This one stretched me a bit.
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