Large Painting

[Sharon Casavant]

I am about to undertake a large painting in oil.  It is 4 ft by 2 ft horizontal.  I want to paint Mount Rainier in Washington.  The mountain is off to the right, not taking up the whole painting.  Any suggestions how to go about this?  I have printed out some photos and taped them together so far.

[Sharon Casavant]

I totally agree with what you are saying.  I darkened the orange behind the mnt, but should not have.  I liked it better before.  I will try to tone it down some and fix up the hill at the bottom.  I liked it before with the magenta colour at the bottom.  No, it is not finished , yet!  But I wanted to get started on Richard's next challenge, still have time.  I thought about darkening the right side of the sky, also, but wasn't sure, now you confirm that.

[Karlo Bonacic]

it looks good.

Maybe after few days (tomorrow and..) when you look with fresh eyes you will find possibilities for improvement...i would try maybe to put some gradient changes in orange sky behind big mountain (maybe little shadow with colors from clouds at right side to "conect them) also in that way the mountain will come out with more contrast...not sure really but this piece of sky when you look on my screen missing some more conection with rest...or subdue it little...I dont know but when you look right side and left side of sky something...

It come to my mind also this glowing - light effect that Richard showing us when one part is in light end everithing else less...You made that already but dont know if possible even more gradient to darken right to left (less).. side of sky...You could be satisfied even now but it is always intersting to try something when seen with fresh eye...My painting are never finished...(which is not good...)

It sounds strange but I had even one situation when I actually sold picture (1m x 0,5m) and got the money, but took it with me just to adjust the frame and to dry little more paint on it...Next day when i sow it I had to change some detail in sky which I didnt like ...and with that I repaint all picture..

It was luck then man who bought it had not complain...

anyway..

I notice also that you tried to connect this orange cloud with right side of grass-field, but this orange in sky maybe just too strong, also the light seems to come from right side so this field (right) may not be in full sunlight.....Johaness would say to add depth whenever possible...with more planes and gradient changes...(in hills, in trees, in sky..)

I dont really know how would I do that but ...there is this saying .. " journey long 1000 miles starts with one step...."

and another saying (which remind me of me): " ...bullocks are heavy and slow, but the earth is patient..."

good night

[Sharon Casavant]

I think I am finished!  What do you all think?

[Sharon Casavant]

[Karlo Bonacic]

Yes i agree..as Scott Christensen said .." you have to sacrifice certain areas to enhance other ,

( either in his paintings, looks to me like nothing is sacrified..)

[Stuart J. Gourlay]

Make the lake darker and show less of it Sharon. Stu

[Sharon Casavant]

Thank you both for your wonderful advice!!  The "funny little ridge" is in the photograph, but I guess it looks strange in the painting... will try to tone it down some.  Also, a question about the lake, I am thinking to just do away with it, because it is distracting from the mountain.  Plus, the river leading to the lake (which I want to keep) is large for the lake.  So keep the river, lose the lake?  That Kelly Green is definately going bye bye.  I will tone it down with red.  I worked on the foreground on the left side a couple days ago, will post later on today.  Thanks again for all your help Stu and Karlo!

[Karlo Bonacic]

thanks Stu

[Stuart J. Gourlay]

Karlo, it's OK to use big text because you always give very good advice.  Sharon is lucky to have you guiding her.   Stu

[Karlo Bonacic]

sorry for strong letters - i dont know what i pressed..