Study for 'To the Lighthouse'

Hi to all!

I'm back from vacation with some promising reference (I hope!)

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Comment by Jon Main on September 23, 2016 at 20:50: OK, thanks Michael and Ian - the fence removal team is on its way!!

Like I said I've started the big final version of this - I'll show you a progress shot as soon as I can

- there are several possibilities: gulls and/or people and/or fence and/or sea waves

Comment by Michael J. Severin on September 23, 2016 at 3:57: Hey Jon, you know, my friend, we as artists can do anything we want .. artistic license and all .... but we cannot change the laws of physics. The sun is obviously behind us and maybe a little to the right. The lighthouse, which is in front of us, is being hit squarely on by the sun. The fence, which is also in front of us, is also in direct line of the suns light .. it cannot be in shadow unless there is something tall behind us casting a shadow inward ... if that were the case, then the whole foreground would be in shadow. Jon, I can see no possible way that fence would be in shadow? ... Jon, even if you write back and say that it is a cloud shadow, what are the astronomical probabilities that it would only cast a shadow on that thin sliver of fence? Jon, the ONLY reason I am making such a big deal out of this is because I am enjoying this very good painting .. except for the shadowed fence, which is bugging the heck out of me. :)

Comment by Jon Main on September 22, 2016 at 19:55: Thanks, Charles and Michael. THe fence is in shadow except the tips of the posts - but not well painted = doesn't read right

Comment by Michael J. Severin on September 22, 2016 at 5:17: I agree with Charles .. colorful and bold!!! ... isn't your fence in the sunlight? ... you have painted it like it is in shadow .. but it is facing toward the sunlight? (am I reading this wrong?). Anyway, if it is in sunlight .. use warm colors to suggest the sunlight.

Comment by Jon Main on September 21, 2016 at 19:54: Thanks a lot for the welcome, guys!

I was on the Atlantic coast then the Med coast, then in the mountains (Pyrenees) - just a few days each, but sooo good (+great weather - hot!).

I've got a few points about this painitng of the lighthouse that bug me

- I've started a larger version- wider with the lighthouse to the right - it's a bit of a postcard cliché - but the bright color is fun! I'll come back to it once I finish the other 3 I've got going (!)

Comment by Aurelia Sieberhagen on September 21, 2016 at 17:15: Love it Jon and welcome back! Love the red against the blue sky.

Comment by Candi Hogan on September 21, 2016 at 9:58: I love the red too against the blue sky! I love the sky, but then I thought it may be too dark for the foreground, but then I keep going back and forth on it, cause the foreground leads you quietly up to that dynamite lighthouse and sky. Know it is a study Jon, (wish I had Photoshop) what about pushing the triad of colors a bit and making the foreground a little stronger, more vibrant, or just adding a few pops of vibrant color? Where is that Michael at?!!

Where did you go on vacation?!! Hope you had a fantastic time, can't wait to see all the material you collected! Really like this Jon, I might just be questioning because I have been questioning my foregrounds, and something about your style feels familiar to me. Whew, I've been looking at this for forever!