1/28/11

Painting from Photographs




  The Old Lansing City Market
This is a demonstration I started in class, and they asked if I could finish it next week, but I don't think I can keep my hands off it.  I could hide it so I am not tempted.  Kind of like sending the potato chips to work in the trunk of my husband's car.

I'm working from a photograph that I took a couple of years ago before they tore the old (beautiful  -  to me) buildings down and rebuilt. With the photograph as reference I did a contour sketch including only the things I felt were necessary to say what I want to say about this particular scene.  I scanned the sketch, enlarged it, printed it out and traced it onto my watercolor paper.

I'm using the sketch as my reference now, not the photograph.  I have pretty much blocked in my lights and darks, and those are more important to me than the colors.  At this point, the photograph has more information than I want.

It's Friday already!  Who has some sketching plans for the weekend?

10 comments:

Helen Sturgeon said...

Ohhh!I'm delighted to see this! I have such a hard time painting from photos..I tend to want to include everything! We've traveled to Europe several times and I have wonderful photos that I want badly to paint,but have been hesitant to give it a try!! Thanks for posting this - I will be anxious to see it progress! Hugs,Helen

Suspinz: Dabbler in Many Things said...

Lovely so far, and thanks for telling us how you went about it. I'll look forward to seeing the continuation and completion!

Anonymous said...

So very beautiful,(as it is)...at this stage. Anxious to see the completion. I have been doing lots of drawing, as therepy. (Mom passed away...) I've been using pictures I see here and there, changing them a bit to suit "me". Good luck! The painting grandma...BJR

Helen Sturgeon said...

Have you by chance seen the webinar on Wet Canvas by Johannes Vloothius on painting from photographs? Its 2/2hr classes each weekend for 12 weeks and
FREE! I learned so much this weekend, can't wait for the next class! Isn't the internet wonderful???

Anonymous said...

As you say to us all of the time...
"Don't touch it!" It is almost time for class, you can do it.

Catherine said...

Helen - I do find if I do a contour sketch from the photo and then paint from that, I don't get as detailed. That webinar sounds great!

Sispinz - thanks. I must get back to it. I'm a little side tracked - just with life - nothing significant:)

BJR - so sorry to hear about your mom! I'm glad you have your drawing as therapy.

Anonymous - I haven't touched it, but it's about time to get back to it.

Helen Sturgeon said...

Waiting impatiently for the next step!! Please share as you progress!!

Catherine said...

Helen, thank you for your patience :)I am going to start over - it just became muddier and muddier. I played with it too much! I'll see what I can do with a fresh start.

Anonymous said...

I've been to lansing,, we live in the border town of Sault canada,, Michigan Sault is right across the river from me,, I love this one,, I'm you newest follower,

Catherine said...

Laurie - we grew up in Lansing, but have lived in northern Michigan for many years. I never finished this painting - it just got muddier and muddier!