Shoot it, Sketch it: Riding the waves
acrylic
My first ever painting commission (WIP)
There was quite a bit of work behind the scenes before the brush ever touched the canvas. My client knew the subject and the colour that she wanted but hadn’t been able to find a painting or print to match her vision. I was commissioned to create an artwork ― any medium, any style ― of three red peony roses. Wow. Really? Okay.
I opted for an acrylic painting on stretched canvas. But what size should it be?
Because I was able to take photographs of the room, I decided to make several mock-ups of the canvas sizes that I thought would suit the space. My client chose a triptych measuring 100 x 100 cm. A sketch was approved and three canvases were ordered…
Shoot it, Sketch it: Reflection
While organising last week’s In the style of… post, I stumbled upon this crop of the Akaroa Harbour photograph ― and now it’s the subject of today’s painting.
I do like happy accidents : )
In the style of… Louis Rhead
I had something specific in mind when I started painting the Akaroa Harbour beachfront photo… and this painting isn’t it. Initially I was going to create a highly stylised image using simple shapes and patterns and fairly flat colours ― but sometimes I just can’t help myself… the temptation to layer colours and add texture is just too great. With Louis Rhead’s turn-of-the-century posters in mind (see below), I exaggerated the shape of the trees and the curve of the shoreline. He has also influenced the overall composition, my choice of colours and the romantic styling of the women in the foreground (although mine look more medieval than Art Nouveau).
I may have another go at painting this scene for next week’s Shoot it, Sketch it…
Louis Rhead
English-born artist Louis Rhead (1857-1926) made a career out of poster design and book illustration in the USA. I love the Art Nouveau influence in these posters dated 1896-1900. The sweeping curves and stylised trees are beautiful. The colours are fantastic too.
In the style of… appears occasionally instead of my regular Shoot it, Sketch it posts. Using my own photographs as a starting point, I’m drawing inspiration from some of the world’s greatest illustrators. It’s not about slavishly copying someone else’s art; it’s an experiment in seeing things differently.
Shoot it, Sketch it: Going with the flow
To see the photograph that inspired the painting and the poem, visit last week’s post.
Shoot it, Sketch it: Flow (WIP)
This week’s Shoot it, Sketch it painting is an abstract inspired by the reflections in the crystal clear waters of Hamurana Springs. If you’re ever anywhere near Lake Rotorua in New Zealand, this magical spot is nearby and well worth a visit. It’s the largest headspring in the North Island and is an impressive 15 metres deep (15 metres!). If you want to know more, click on this Envirohistory NZ link.
The painting is still a work in progress. I hope to have it finished next week…
Anna Cull ~ Art & Music 