Thursday, July 6, 2017

Sharing Stages Of Cape Town Waterfront Painting


Good morning folks. This painting of the Cape Town Waterfront is the first one I did in my current “Iconic South African Places” collection.  In Stage 1, I am always making sure that the drawing aspect is accurate because it strengthens the composition and creates a great balance and harmony to the painting. It is also for this reason that I divided it into blocks. The best advice I ever received about drawing was from Betty Edwards in her book "Drawing With The Right Side Of The Brain". She affirms that it is very necessary that you switch off your analytical left brain that wants to complicate things, and that you allow your creative right brain to take over that will simplify things so that you are able to draw shapes rather than what you think you see. And the way she suggests you do this is to take the reference you are using and turn it upside down. And I can confirm that this works brilliantly.

In Stage 2 I put in the base color which sets the tonal value (grading from black to white) for the rest of the painting. It is also here that I determine whether the colors are warm or cool.

In Stage 3 I started putting in the mid-tone colors in their correct values, and also some of the highlights. I always put in the darker values first and then come in with the highlights later.

In Stage 4 it was all about getting the finer details right has always been important to me folks, because for me it is the difference between a good and a great painting. It is when you get further along in the painting that you pick up errors in the drawing. So here I took the time to correct some of those errors that I can see, even if no-one else does. I also added some more highlights and put some of the people in. Thanks for following the process with me because you all inspire me to do better.

In Stage 5 I worked on the water, added some more of the people and added more of the detail. With any luck the next time you see it, it will be completed.

It is done folks! This painting has been a great challenge for me, and I have enjoyed the whole process, and especially being able to share it with you all as well. We are offering it on a 3-month payment option, so if you are interested, please feel free to chat to me.

Title: Cape Town Waterfont
Medium: Oils on Stretch Canvas
Size: 76 cm x 1.02 meters (40 x 30 inches)
Price: R12000 ($934)(£720)

1 comment:

  1. Marvelous blog my dear hubby. I am committed to do all I can for your blogs to become a roaring success. Love you LOTS!!!

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