Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Recent Painting

This is a piece I started on the spot last fall and recently finished up in the studio. It's one of my favorite scenes to paint. On this afternoon I was painting out there with Scott, Sue and Sarah. Sue really liked a little painting I had of this spot at my gallery, so I took them out there to paint.
I often mention that I started a piece on the spot and later finished it in the studio. I actually have a picture of how it came home before any adjustments in the studio, so I thought I'd share that here so you can see a little of my working process. I suppose I could have left the piece as it was and it would have been fine, but I wanted to take this one a little further than the loose look it had. One of the choices we have to make as artists is when to stop. Since I had painted this same scene many times before I wanted to bring it to a little more detailed finish this time around.
In the on location photo you can see that I was working on a neutral toned canvas, a product of an earlier failed painting. I started with my shadow shapes and then added the shapes that were in the light. At this point I had yet to cut in the sky shape. The light was changing pretty quickly at this time of day so I was working fast. Trying to get color/ value notes as accurately as I could.



"A Special Time" 14x11" oil. Frank Gardner © 2011
$1,050. Framed. Available at Galeria Gardner




As it came home from painting on the spot. Frank Gardner © 2011




Painting with friends Sue and Sarah. Frank Gardner © 2011

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

it is an absolutely beautiful painting. And good to see the colour choices you made to the original.

L.Holm said...

beautiful. I agree with Rahina. Very instructive. Thanks for posting the sequence. is this on linen panel?

Frank Gardner said...

Thanks Rahina and Liz.
It's a Raymar smooth cotton Liz. I prefer the single primed linen ones though.

Pam Holnback said...

It's so great to see the piece as it was when you were out, and then to compare it.

Diana Marshall said...

Beautiful painting, the scene reminds me of Spain where I lived for 5 years, very similar.

Marian Fortunati said...

I remember when you took me there, Frank... It IS a beautiful spot.

I just love your finished painting and can absolutely see why you've chosen to bring it up to a more finished look.

One day I'd like to come back to paint... sigh...
Sounds like you're feeling well again... Hope you all are doing great!

Douglas Clark said...

I really like your work. you really captured the feel of this place.

Ricardo said...

Hi, I love your work, I love the colors and light that you give very good job congratulations, greetings.

Daniel Peci said...

Great color in this one Frank, just so you know I've linked my blog to yours!

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Beautiful light great color harmony! I like them both.

Jack Riddle said...

Frank--absolutely wonderful piece. Next time I'm in San Miguel....

Måns Sjöberg said...

Superb as usual.
Greetings from Sweden

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

I love everything about this, particularly like the 'as it came home' version. Slam bangin'!

Jane Seavers said...

Elizabeth and I sat in that same spot with you and painted. I so wish I could be there again!