A Stroll in the Park WIP

[Lori Ippolito]

First, many thanks to Michael for his kind offer to help me achieve my goals with this painting!..and to my friends here who have been so supportive.  This is the first painting I'm attempting since losing my husband to a battle with stomach cancer.  It's been a difficult time for me and this marks a beginning step in healing my grief. The source photo I'm using is from our vacation at Cape Cod only last July when life seemed so sunny & bright - and this painting is a tribute to that time as well as to the future..walking down a sunny path again.

I thought a blog post would be the best way to show the progress of my painting, without taking up so much space in the daily photos.  Thanks in advance for following and for your comments and critiques on my work.  It's good to be among friends:)

My first attempt, with the source photo, grayscale and sketch -- and what NOT to do!

and the new version, beginning with a burnt sienna imprimatura and wiping out the lights, per Michael's suggestion

I tried to be very mindful of keeping the horizon low, since one of the things I was so drawn to with this place was how tiny we are in the scheme of nature..

Also of importance was the contrast between the very light and the dark - I found that beautiful

And finally, the two figures I chosen to keep in the scene - mom (or grandma?) with the little boy wanting to rush ahead but checking back to be sure she's still back there (Or maybe saying, come on!!..I find the poetry of the first much nicer!)  I can certainly find a lot of symbolism here to my current situation..but enough said on that!!

[Lori Ippolito]

Thank you Jess!

[Jessica Futerman]

This is already a gorgeous painting, Lori!  Beautifully done - wonderful light! 

[Lori Ippolito]

Thanks to your tutelage my friend!! I can't thank you enough for taking the time to advise me on this! Your suggestions make sense..I didn't even notice that left foreground tree!! Great eye! I'll work on this tomorrow:) feels good to be painting!

[Michael J. Severin]

Very, very good Lori ... what a nice job you did on this, my friend!  Here are some very small things I want you to do ... first, don't paint the feet .. just meld the bottom of the legs into the ground.  Second, darken that left hand foreground tree so it sits in front of the middle ground tree that the tree shape wraps around.  Maybe fill in some of that "Y" shape at the top of the tree.... we don't want that shape there .. draws way to much attention .. and is not an interesting shape.  That's it ... you can put a hint of a shadow under the figures, but don't overdo it .. keep it subtle.  This is an excellent painting.

[Lori Ippolito]

Hmmm..seeing it on the screen, I think I need to add darker value under each figure -- the 12:00 shadow..I had them in but reworked a bit too much I think - ughhhhh!!!!!

[Lori Ippolito]

I wasn't able to work on the painting over the weekend but had some time this morning.  I was worried about the figures but think they're ok..I struggle always with trying to simplify!!

[Lori Ippolito]

Great!! Thanks soooo much for your help with this! Trees have always intimidated me! Hoping to finish after work tonight!

[Michael J. Severin]

Looking real good Lori! ..I would straighten up the shadows so they go horizontal across the road.  Also, flatten out the end of the road and bring up the right side of the road a little more where it leaves the canvas.  Also, make the edge of the road more irregular .. lose some of those lines ... look carefully at mine how I did this.  Finish your figures, then paint in some darker accents here and there ... especially at the bottom of the foliage darks.

[Lori Ippolito]

I worked on adding tthe trees/color--now I need to focus on the figures.  I'm thinking my road isn't level enough?

[Lori Ippolito]

Thanks Michael. Lol...this will not be a museum piece! You're welcome to do what you wish with your painting! I softened the edges again...bad habits!! I'm going to start mixing up some colors and give it a whirl:)