Thats beautiful, I saw a painting once of a Lion walking over a spent party table. Reminds me of that for some reason, maybe its the wondering what just happened. Really nice
Soon as I saw the letter in her hand I said Jilted, Perfect! I loved the drawing and did not know that it could be better but this is going to be Fantastic!
Very ambitious, lots of textures and a 4' x 5' canvas? It would probably take a lifetime to finish but then again you are the Barry Allen of oil painting.
Almost got to design "Flash" but it went to the guy from Fringe instead. :-( So since I have nothing but available time... Honestly, I just bought the canvas and it's pretty daunting but I'm stoked to get on with it. To tone or not to tone - that is the question (at the moment) Still compiling references - taking my time- something this big needs a plan for execution.
spent the day transferring the image to canvas. Tomorrow I'll start mixing colors. Sorry the image is so soft & indistinct but I took it with my iPhone.
Really nice job. Can't wait to see it as a painting. I love the narrative, and I understand why the chair needs to be knocked over from a visual point of view, but there is so much drama, already what with her posture, the letter, the spilled wine... I guess I just feel that it's a little over the top. But that is a taste thing and I respect where you go. My wife (a writer) is the queen of subtlety. I tend to be a bit more dramatic and flamboyant. If the chair is bugging me ... well, I'm just sayin'. But I do see that you need something there... what about an ottoman. How about her lover with a dagger in his chest?
Hey @garrykravit, I appreciate you taking time to consider and comment. I've been intrigued by the character of Miss Havisham since reading Great Expectations as a kid. Mean to the point of being vicious, still adorned in her rotting dress some 50 or more years later. Not your standard reaction to being dumped or left at the alter. So I wanted to see that moment when she went off the rails. The overturned chair is part and parcel with the spilled wine, the tablecloth pulled away and some of the place settings having slid onto the floor. Strictly from a narrative standpoint I think these elements all fit together to tell the story of the preceding few minutes. She would have freaked out and sent everyone away in a fit of anguish, embarrassment and despair. This is a life altering event for her so I think overplaying the components can only assist in showing the viewer that she's on the edge as well, just about to tip into madness. That's what's in my brain anyway.
@jsdr Constructive criticism here and I hope you don't mind me saying? I would take out the chair in the bottom left hand corner, no need for it in my opinion. The dress, I think it may be a little too modern for the 1860's. You have even set the clock at the exact time, just great, I wish I had your imagination.
@dreamlight66 - Opinions always welcome. I'm kind of in the same place as you. I added the chair as a last minute thing. The area under the table seemed like a bit of a black hole so I thought i'd try this but- not only is it a different style chair (which i would ultimately change to match) but it creates a line that pulls the eye out of the picture. Maybe i'll heighten the lighting underneath so I can see the pedestal leg. You can kinda see it in the original B&W sketch. It'll be an easy element to add or remove so i'll probably give it a go.
oh yeah, also the dress itself is a mishmash but all the elements are from period dresses that i researched. Close enough for my purposes as this is somewhat allegorical as opposed to biographical.
speaking of "working on it" here's a pic my wife took of me doing just that. I'll post a proper wip status tomorrow when i have better light for photos. Canvas is so large i had to bang 2 new nails in the wall about 7 feet up. (still don't have an easel) L-)
Ok here is yesterday's work. I'm actually a little surprised at how quickly i'm getting the canvas covered. (Ya I know, speed freak) Removed the chair in the lower left of the canvas in favor of seeing under to the pedestal leg. More better I think. Hoping to move on to the table cloth and dress which is all one color group.
Gotta say, I balked and hesitated over this for a good ten minutes (jus kidding) In all seriousness I was fairly apprehensive and was having trouble deciding the best approach. I must have sat and hummed and hawed for the better part of yesterday morning. Finally I just said screw it and jumped in. All of my concerns instantly evaporated and I just plowed ahead. Nothing to fear but fear itself apparently. A lesson too easily forgotten (in my case.)
10 minutes in @jcdr time is about a couple of months for us average joes :-j
but seriously, have you had any issues while painting at that size without an easel other than not being able to position the canvas the way you would want to?
It's psychologically daunting standing in front if it. 20 sq. ft- That's a bunch of real estate. Once I begin actually painting all trepidation evaporates and it's business as usual. The only real issue is that I have to move the canvas to another room in order to stand back an see the whole thing, and I do that a lot so I guess the only problem is not having a dedicated studio space.
Thought i'd rename this thread as i'm past the concept study and well into the WIP. Caught the plague a couple days ago so my painting time was compromised but I managed to get a little further along and thought i'd share. Sorry about the glare.
Comments
But seriously, how do you feel about adding some atmosphere
Just beautiful.
Denis
So since I have nothing but available time...
Honestly, I just bought the canvas and it's pretty daunting but I'm stoked to get on with it. To tone or not to tone - that is the question (at the moment)
Still compiling references - taking my time- something this big needs a plan for execution.
That's what's in my brain anyway.
You have to admit though, a couple of nails banged in is a lot less expensive and far more flexible than an easel.
Denis
Hoping to move on to the table cloth and dress which is all one color group.
In all seriousness I was fairly apprehensive and was having trouble deciding the best approach. I must have sat and hummed and hawed for the better part of yesterday morning. Finally I just said screw it and jumped in. All of my concerns instantly evaporated and I just plowed ahead. Nothing to fear but fear itself apparently. A lesson too easily forgotten (in my case.)
but seriously, have you had any issues while painting at that size without an easel other than not being able to position the canvas the way you would want to?
The only real issue is that I have to move the canvas to another room in order to stand back an see the whole thing, and I do that a lot so I guess the only problem is not having a dedicated studio space.
Caught the plague a couple days ago so my painting time was compromised but I managed to get a little further along and thought i'd share. Sorry about the glare.