Window Shopping at Midnight, 20" x 15"transparent watercolor
Chris Beck
I worked feverishly to finish this during the past week so I could scan it and get a show entry in the mail. I took the reference photo for this several years ago but needed some time to think it through technically. And of course, many other "must-do" paintings got in the queue along the way. Once I got started, I had a great time and I'm really happy with the finished painting.
Here's a shot of the painting right after I removed all the masking. I had masked some areas at the very start, poured/brushed a warm underpainting, and then masked those areas too. I used the warm colors as a guide, but as you can see from the finished painting, they were just a rough version of the final colors. This painting involved re-masking some areas several times to protect them from subsequent paint application (check out the finished moon and star in closeup).
Hope you enjoy the painting. I'll be back with more information on masking fluid and techniques in a couple of days.
Enjoyed the painting. Superb!!Loved it. Keep blogging.Waiting to see more valable post from you.Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWow, Chris, you've been up to some wonderfully exciting stuff.
ReplyDeleteI love this and can wait to see more like it. Makes me want to paint more abstractly.
Maybe, I will :D
Happy New Year and thanks for your support!
Chris, This work is totally intriguing as well as well executed. It's very exciting to see the direction you're going! Incredible work!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very complex piece that you pulled off beautifully. The detail and subtle colour shifts are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI always learn so much from you. Thank you.
Brava!! I know you were worried there for a while but you worked it out, pulled it off, get a big, fat A++ for this. Love seeing it larger and seeing the detail in the moon and the colors. Good luck on the entry. It's a very cool, interesting, and unusual painting.
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous!! Well constructed and executed. This will win a major prize!
ReplyDeleteOh this is too much fun! What a great concept and I get to finally see what you were protecting! I can hardly wait to see/read your techniques in masking as you layer!
ReplyDeleteThanks to you all -- Gayathri, Mary, Sandy, Jeanette, Rhonda, Kathy, & Guy!! I'm pleased that you like the work - it's a bit off the edge as far as subject goes, so I'm really glad that it got such a good response from you all.
ReplyDeleteChris!
ReplyDeleteThis even looked cool in the unfinished stage!
-Dean
Very cool - and different from your usual work! Good luck on the show.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen anything quite like it. I hasten to add that I am so intrigued and amazed. Putting the dark dark "nightness" onto the painting at the end. That was really outside the box thinking. AND the twinkling lights...I am LOVING them. Perfect. There are so few nigh time paintings that when you do see one so well executed it just knocks your socks off! Perhaps having the deadline added to the way you pulled it off. Sometimes I do better under a little pressure? In any case thank you SO much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dean, Deb, and Ginny!! Again, I'm really happy that this painting is getting such a good reaction.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with all the wonderful comments.Love that you shared the sinking feeling partial through but you sure pulled off a winner.Can't wait to see it in TWSA
ReplyDeleteChris...would I need to have your permission to put this painting on MY blog with credits and a blog link? I'd love to share it with folks who might not be reading yours. This painting has really caught my attention...I keep going back to look at it over and over thinking about how you planned it out and how you got the textures in the leaf shapes AFTER the mask came off and what mixture of colors did you use for the night sky? I sure hope you'll talk more about this painting! It's mesmerizing.
ReplyDeleteVery intriguing artwork, Chris. Not normally my cup of tea..your artwork, and this piece is quite appealing...my compliments, indeed.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have browsed your backblogs and picked up on some helpful tips on masking. Thanks,I'll be back. Stop by my place sometime..coffee's always on.
Thanks, Kaaren -- hope your faith in my work is borne out!
ReplyDeleteGinny, I'd be pleased to have you share this on your blog, with credit to me. Very glad you like the painting. I have a couple of other matters to attend to in the next few days, but I'll be posting more about masking later in the week.
Glad you liked the painting and the tips on masking, James.
Chris...what an intriguing and eye-catching piece...so strong yet subtle...composition works too! one of those pieces that you just have keep looking at...without trying to figure it out...and take it all in. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie!! Your support is most welcome!!
ReplyDelete