Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Open Gate II

I painted this little 6x8 today to work out some ideas for a large painting. This one is based on the plein air piece "Open Gate" from my previous post. Sometimes I like to do a few little paintings like this to play with the design and work out how I want to translate my idea in paint before committing to a large canvas. I am using a few different photo references plus the painting done on location, and this helps get me one step away from the photos.



"Open Gate II", 6x8" oil, Frank Gardner © 2009

14 comments:

Paula Villanova said...

Hmmm...I like that idea of having a step between photo and finished work...this is a nice view of the cattle...

Karl Marxhausen said...

Not yet tried the 6 x 9 format. A friend told me he does 2 x 3 inch pieces. Says Kevin McPherson recommends them. Good for compostion and colors. Not concerned with details. It seems too tiny for my tastes. BUT, I agreed that smaller
studies take less paint, and do help hone your image making. I like 9 x 12s, myself.

FitFoodieMegha said...

Hey Frank! lovely subject to paint. Liked the colors you have used. Very nice.

Water based Color Pencil: Pomegranates

Eric Merrell said...

Hey Frank,

Thought I'd stop over and say hi. You must be getting ready for everyone to descend on the city soon. I'll have to hear about it through everyone's blogs, sure it will be great -

Diana Moses Botkin said...

The little 'uns do provide more practice for (usually) less time, and allow one to simplify or work out composition without a lot of detail.

After painting the tiny miniatures, though, 6x8" can feel pretty big!

Frank Gardner said...

Hi Paula, it is a good way to avoid just copying what's in the photo. Since I am using bits and pieces from several photos it helps me to decide how I want to use those bits and pieces in the best way.

Frank Gardner said...

Yeah, the little ones are good for avoiding too much detail Karl. Helps me work out compositions and color, but lots of time they are finished little gems in themselves.

Thanks Megha!

Hey Eric. How have you been? Love your new work.
Yeah, getting ready for that. Ought to be fun.

Hi Diana, usually less time. Not always. Sometimes I spend as much time on a 6x8 as I do on a 14x18.

Barbara Pask said...

Wonderful paintings Frank. I always love zooming in on them to see all of your brushwork. You are a lucky guy to have such great scenery, think I have said that before. :)

Dean H. said...

Glad I stopped back, Frank! I hadn't seen the last four paintings. Always a pleasant learning experience to see your work and read your views!

Great paintings all!!

Anonymous said...

Very cool. I like how you've even captured the shadows. So, how long did it take to paint this?

Paz

Frank Gardner said...

Thanks Barb.

Glad you stopped back too Dean. Always a pleasure to hear from you. Thanks!

Thanks Paz. I'm not sure how long. I was working at the gallery on this one so I had some interruptions. 4 hrs. maybe?

Anonymous said...

Wow! That was quick.

Paz ;-)

Frank Gardner said...

Well, it's only 6x8 inches Paz.

Anonymous said...

LOL! Ummm... It would take me a month or longer to do what you did in a very elementary way. ;-)

Paz