A Bit More Done on Homer's Pastiche

Well I didn't get anything more done on this until last night. After a totally exhausting day of "closing the pool", I did a bit on the water and added some more colour into the blacks of the background trees. I don't like the band of burnt orange in the shrubs on the left - I think it looks out of place. (I think it looks out of place on Homer's original too, though.)

I'm finding that I can get some good colour bursts in the blacks by using paint straight from the tube then softening it with just a touch of water once it's laid onto the black. (Example, yellow ochre.)

I keep pondering over that big mauve tree with it's wet-noodle-branches. I guess since it's a pastiche, I'll follow his colours and shapes, but .......... I still don't understand.

One thing I love about pastiches is the way you study the original soooooo closely. You notice the tiniest of brushstrokes and study them intently, gradually forming such an understanding of what the artist was trying to accomplish and why. You kind of get into his/her head. After this one though, I'm going back to my own work. Pastiches are a wonderful learning tool but to keep it real, you have to live in your own paintings rather than someone else's, or you're going to lose yourself and just not know how to paint on your own. So, that being said, right after this one, I think I'll go back to my jellyfish which have been leaning against the wall for a few weeks now. I've found that if I want to get new ideas for an unfinished painting, all I have to do is leave it out in the open. Then, I can't keep my eyes off of it nor free my thoughts from it and it's possibilities. Pretty soon, I'm itching to get back to it. Right now, I'm itching to get into that jellyfish!

Okay, here's the latest on the Homer pastiche, followed by the last progress pic and the original.

Homer Pastiche

Months ago, I belonged to the Watercolor Landscape Group. During the month I left, a Winslow Homer pastiche was being done. Since then, it's sat on my table. I'd look at it often and think how I "should" finish it. Last night, I took it to the painting group I'm in and worked at it. (A pastiche is a work that imitates the style of an artist, usually one who has passed on ages ago, and it's done for learning purposes.)


For most of the night, it was at that stage of "the uglies" when you just hate anyone seeing it. It looked so awful, I was really embarrassed when anyone would look at it and I was constantly thinking, "THIS is why I don't like painting in front of anyone!" I worked past that, though, and am glad. I need to paint more often in front of people. I"m becoming a recluse. lol.


Here's the original, above, done by Winslow Homer. (I just can't understand that tree in the background!) What I love about this is that it was painted in the Adirondacks, a favourite place of Homer. I live about an hour away from the Adirondacks and on a clear day, can see them beautifully in the distance if I look south across the river. Kinda brings you a bit closer to the painting. I also love the clarity and transparency he's got in his painting.

The tree, the man, the dead tree and a few reflections in the water are all masked out. I wanted to keep those areas pristine until I had the darks put in. I see an area though, just to the left of the standing tree that I don't like - there's an almost definite black line so that's going to be corrected. Need to work at the greens of the bushes around the base of the tree also. But all in all, I'm pretty happy with what I managed to accomplish last night. Darks can be tricky to do in watercolour but they're not turning out too badly here.

I'll post more as I get it done. Why, maybe even tonight after work - wouldn't that be a shocker!!!

Notes of Interest for Monday, October 8, 2007

I'm so behind on my blog!

First note of interest - I have joined a local group of artists who get together every Tuesday night to paint. This is such a good thing! I hope to post some pics of Tracy Lynn's studio (where we meet) in the future. It's incredible!!!

Second note of interest - it's Thanksgiving here in Canada and I hope every single Canadian is having a great day! I know I am! My baby's home from college so we're altogether for our big dinner which will consist of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, baby cabbages, croissants, home made cranberry sauce, carrots and of course, pumpkin pie with whipped cream!

Third note of interest - some nasty lower-than-pond-scum lowlife has been using my website address to send out spam. Some times, in the space of one hour, I would receive over 1,000 undeliverable spoof emails!! The webhosting company has been helping me with that, though.

4th note of interest - and this is a good one!! If you go to EBSQ's live chatroom tonight at 9 pm eastern time, you can see Mary Lu's demonstration of how she makes some of her jewelry. You have to be a member, but you can join free for a patron's account! It's well worth joining as an artist though!

Gotta go make some pumpkin pie.

Happy Thanksgiving, eh!

I'm Done! I'm Done! I'm Done!

Alrighty then!! The Treasure Chest is finished! Today is a holiday here in Canada - our Thanksgiving. (I'm sooooo thankful this is done!) So, Tuesday, (since the post office will be closed on Monday) it's going to be mailed to Mary Lu. Here's a few shots of it. First, the finished painting; I have to say this again - it looks much better in real life. Usually, I can shoot a painting and get the exact matching colours. This one seems to be really tough to match. If you click on some the pics, you'll get a larger version to view. (Not all but some work with that feature.)

A bit of history - Mary Lu and I belong to a fantastic online art group called EBSQart. We were partnered in the annual Ripped Off show. Mary Lu, who makes gorgeous jewelry, was inspired by my Eggs and Collander painting to make me the following necklace, which she mailed to me!

I was inspired by Mary Lu's Treasure Map ring she made for the EBSQ Paper show. Immediately, I thought of a pirate's treasure chest filled with Mary Lu's jewelry! And that's what I did. Previous to this post, you can see the progress steps.

Here's a few closeups;

If you'd like to see the real McCoy's of each of these pieces, you can visit Mary Lu's website. She's also known as Amethyst Lobster!

Thanks very much for my necklaces, Mary Lu, and I hope you like this painting!