Completed ...?

Ice Trails on the North Saskatchewan

Well this is the completed 12 x 16 oil on wood panel.  The biggest challenge is knowing if you are done.  So I felt this was done, but I am not quite finished with the idea and will be working on a large scale version or two this winter.

 

Hunting for a painting

For some time now I have been 'planning' a painting in my head.  It started one day a couple of years ago when I was driving across the bridge over the river while the sun was setting and noticed how gorgeous the light on the water with the ice on it was.  I couldn't get it out of my head.  

Since then I have tried on several occasions to capture a similar view.  I have taken numerous photos.  I have looked up the sunset times and checked the ice structure, I have driven to several different bridges, I have hiked a number of kilometres along paths but it has been elusive.  

There hasn't been enough ice and I've got the sun in the wrong 'spot'.  Then there was too much ice and no water showing through.

I've planned wrong and arrived too late for the setting sun, or clouds have blocked any reflections on water.

Yesterday was an okay day.  Not quite matching my vision in my head but elements were there.  I had some open water, some lovely sky colour and reflected light.  the rest I will make up as I go along.

... and so I have begun.  I will try and post a process painting as I go along in the next few days.

 

Working on Commissions

My last two painting projects have been 'commissions', one of pets and one of children.  I always start commission projects with some fear - what I want to paint and what the recipient wants may be two different things.  I have to say they were both enjoyable - the first one was bright, acrylic and ink and this one above is more subtle oil paints. They were both requests from family members too - which makes it easier.

Commissions can be a tad stressful.  First of all the photo references can be difficult to work from - unless you shoot them yourselves.  The above photo reference  I was sent is ideal - close cropped, great light coming from one direction, nothing but the subjects on the page.  Made it easy to tackle.  A commission can also be very stressful if the person requesting it wants to tell you exactly how to paint and gives you feedback requesting changes.  I found that when this happens I start choking up!  I become a little stressed and overwork things.  I have taken courses where my instructors were quite adamant that when doing commissions you, the artist should show a sketch, get an okay and then that is it - you create it.  I think most people are pretty happy with what they get.  The biggest challenge is capturing a likeness with a portrait.  I felt pretty okay with what I have got going so far on this one.  I am letting it dry for a couple days then going to do some tweaking with glazes and then STOP!  Off it goes and on to the next one.