heatherm
Posts:2120
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| 01/25/2007 5:56 PM |
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| It was worth the wait. This is lovely, colors are vibrant. The only thing I would suggest is to soften the clouds in the color a little so they don't detract from the buildings, and the foregournd foliage has a strong diagonal, not sure if it is a tree or not. Just a couple of suggestions. The painting is well balanced. |
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Heather
http://www.heatherartist.com |
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ohsuzanna
Posts:191
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| 01/25/2007 8:42 PM |
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Glad you managed to post. looks good! looking forward to seeing more.
ohsuzanna
www.artabus.com/crate
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klippie
Posts:1880
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| 01/26/2007 1:08 AM |
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I like your painting. But of you need any help on painting from photographs. there is an excellent book out called "How to Paint from photographs" by Tony Paul excellent.
Retha
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If at first you dont succeed.........don't ever give up! |
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Materese
Posts:123
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| 01/26/2007 2:52 PM |
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Very nice painting Alias, the compostion is very nice and your colours are good - keep at it! 
I have, what may seem to be, a really dumb question for everyone. Please take no offense, none whatsoever is intended - but it seems that everyone here paints and draws almost exclusively from photographs, and I'm curious - why?
There's a school of thought that says "never use photos" and the opposite who say "use them all the time". I'm in the midde, using them only for reference for composition ideas, or when I'm out in the field, I take a photo when I want to finish something back in the studio.
It's my opinion (and experience) so much is lost when using photos to do a work from beginning to end - depth of field, subtle value relations, clairity of colour, truth in light, and so on. I've seen some really good work here and I think "this is really good, but man, if they had done that from life it would be absolutly awesome".
Again, I hope no one feels offended, none intended, but I'm just curious. Thanks.
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Materese
http://www.ghostwoodstudio.com
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heatherm
Posts:2120
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| 01/26/2007 3:40 PM |
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| No offense taken here. I paint from photos I take myself, to get the basic composition, subject matter and colors. Then as soon as possible I paint them in my studio, using the photos as reference only. I am not able to paint outdoors for various reasons. Any still lifes I do are from life as I set them up here in my studio. However, if I want special lighting on the subject (that I can't really paint by) I will take a digital to guide me in the light source. I used to paint outdoors but those days are gone and I miss them. I know excatly what you mean about painting from life. |
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Heather
http://www.heatherartist.com |
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klippie
Posts:1880
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| 01/27/2007 2:23 PM |
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I'm in the midde, using them only for reference for composition ideas, or when I'm out in the field, I take a photo when I want to finish something back in the studio.
I am also like that, I use them but because I see symbolism in everything they never are the photo, thats only for my idea.
Retha
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If at first you dont succeed.........don't ever give up! |
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alias
Posts:11
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Art Nut
Posts:47
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| 03/23/2007 4:05 PM |
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| Most professional artists will persuade you to back up from photos and rely on the actual outdoor scene. I realize this is difficult for most but there is no substitute for plein air painting. The problems with photos is that you cannot trust the colors nor the values. However photos will not lie as far as perspective, shapes and detail. Another problem is that a 6 X 4 inch photo falls very short of representing the actual scene. What you have in front of you is scaled up millions of times more than the photos. If you cannot paint outdoors then I suggest you increase the photo to a much larger size (if possible the size of your painting) or better yet project the image on a screen with a silde projector or LCD projector. Another very cost effective alternative would be to bring the photo up on your computer monitor (if necessary buy a long monitor cable) and put the monitor next to you while you are painting. Make sure it fills up the whole screen. Digital photos not printed out but seen on your screen will give you more accurate colors because there is no chemical reaction on the paper that you would get when they the are developed. |
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Johanna
Posts:220
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| 03/23/2007 10:59 PM |
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Hi! Alias. Welcome to the club. Nice to see that your picture made it on the web. The first time is always the hardest. After that it gets easier. As for age. Well I think life begins at 50. I certainly have been making the most of the fifties these last few years. Nice work. This forum is a great place to be with like minded folks. It is the fellow artists that make it all worth while. Nice to see there personality in there work.
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colors
Posts:23
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| 03/27/2007 9:49 PM |
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Hi alias, Perhaps show a bit of translucence in the wave and some transparency in the shadow of the figure - love your colors!!!!
Colors |
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scochran
Posts:209
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| 03/28/2007 2:48 PM |
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| I had many trys when frist loading my pictures.I am still learning from everyone here. I am so hooked on this web-site. Everyone is sooo helpful. Your painting is very good. I love the clouds and the stuctures in the background. I have never been there but made someday....You are in the right place to learn. I get nervous about posting my work, I love hearing what other artist say, good or bad. I just want to be better each time I do something. I have had 2 brain tumors, although I am in my late 40's , I have real problems learning and retaining new information.Age is not a factor in art. Love for what your doing is. I mess-up my post several times,before I get it right.Photo images are just another tool in art, use them do what you want, your the artist. scochran |
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shana cochran |
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mksarts
Posts:98
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| 03/29/2007 7:13 AM |
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i paint landscapes from photos i take. the biggest thing, as you've already heard, is editing to remove noise. the other thing is getting highlights and shadows right- a painting needs more detail and color in shadows that a photo usually shows- not so much an issue with scenes like the one you've done above, but you'll run into it. just read lots about painting from photos!
btw, i like it- makes me want to hit the beach! |
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marianne |
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Bright
Posts:38
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| 04/11/2007 1:54 PM |
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I like your Hawaiian painting and hope you keep
at it! Thanks for sharing it with us. I feel like I
just got a little vacation. 
Bright
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http://www.beautywood.com |
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Antiki
Posts:35
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| 05/06/2007 10:27 PM |
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Wow, your painiting is beautiful! I too am an older, self-taught painter. I visited this site a few times last year when I was just getting started, but it has been a while since I've been back.
Now I have nervously put my first painting sold pic on the Acrylic forum. I painted it from a photo I took of a bridge in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, USA that crosses the river to an island. I also posted a painting I sold my first prints from. It is also of the Susqhehanna river in Pa. I hear so much about not painting from photos, but I work 6 days a week.
Good Luck Alias! |
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Marian
Posts:183
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| 05/15/2007 3:14 PM |
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This is a great topic ... one that I struggle with. When I'm out and about I'm usually with family (which in the last 4 years has added a now 7-year-old) because it's a weekend or holiday. Therefore sitting in one place to paint en plein air doesn't happen. Before my little guy came to live with us I'd go out on Saturday and brave the winds, bugs and curious people to paint. It was a wonderful experience. Painting helps us all see with new eyes.
Perhaps after I retire (in 4 months) I'll be able to do this again while my little one is in school. I love to explore and paint outdoors. It's fun and enlightening. And yes... I often finished the painting back at home.
However, in the meantime I do use photos... And I stuggle to edit out things that don't look "right" and move things around to improve the compositions AND as so many have pointed out.... to deal with the color changes that photos impose. I'll often take several photos and use parts of each one. But it is a process and I'm trying my best to learn to improve strategies and end products each time. I've found another danger from photos... especially related to buildings... Depending upon the lenses used, photos sometimes distort angles ...
But I like to paint and I am fortunate enough to visit many places that inspire me so I'm moved to paint them.
I join all of you in saying ... keep on painting.... however you can! |
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Sometimes we paint to see more clearly or to feel more deeply.
Marian
www.marianfortunati.com
www.fortunatifineart.com |
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cre8v1
Posts:1
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| 05/16/2007 10:52 AM |
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Paint whatever and however you enjoy - the whole process is a creative learning opportunity. As I mentioned in my creativity workbook, Breathe, Push, Create I have had many students who are blocked by fear and doubt. Creativity does not have age restrictions! I have done some research in the field of creativity and aging, and truly the best is yet to come! Check out books by Dr. Gene Cohen.
I love to paint landscapes of my travels and often use my photos as a reference - some may feel why do that when you can take a picture but I feel that my energy and love of a particular location contribute to my artistic interpretation. I also collage several photos together to make up a new composition. |
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Egon
Posts:375
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| 05/26/2007 2:56 PM |
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Painting from photos - is difficult
If you use your own photos - and you know the focal length it works maybe ????
Our eyes works similar like a lens 80mm - but if your photo is taken by a lens 35 mm or a fisheye the photo shows a different perspektive - foreground is huge and the background is tiny
I try to paint plain air as much as possible - if the weather doesnt work - a drawing on location & a photo with the colors to finish it at home |
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snowcat749
Posts:4
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| 05/28/2007 3:31 PM |
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Hello All:
I can relate to the way you feel. I am 41 and just started to oil paint a couple of months ago. I always wanted to do it but for one reason or another never had the chance to do it. Then one day, I just decided that it was now or never and went to my local art store and purchase a bunch of supplies and started. I never had any formal training or classes and all I learned was from either a DVD or the couple dozen books I borrowed from the library. For some of us painting 'in plein air' is not an option. Between work, and caring for my 3 year old and my 6 month old boys I cannot make it outside to paint, with exception of my backyard. And even then I have to split the time between watching my 3 year old outside and keeping an eye on the baby napping inside. So I say, do it anyway you can and just enjoy yourself. Please check my first few attempts and give me your critique. Thanks and best of luck to all.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dvk422/Paintings
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vikingwife
Posts:882
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| 05/28/2007 5:04 PM |
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Hello snowcat.....
I agree with you. Finding the time to paint (or pretty much do ANYTHING for yourself) when you have small children can be difficult. Plein air painting is not an option for me either with a 2 and 4 year old on my heels all day, everyday! I checked out your website.....I think your first painting is actually the strongest. The leaves and the sky are nicely done. Overall, I think you're off to a good start. Congrats for making the time to do something for yourself! Stick with it
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vpearson
Posts:19
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| 05/28/2007 8:40 PM |
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Snowcat, just keep trying, you are a natural.I like them very muc. but that is my opinion,
hugs vivian |
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