I decided to do a work in progress piece as an exercise for myself. My son went away with a few friends to the Vaal Dam, an hours drive from where we stay. Sounds like they had a good time by the looks of the photographs he showed me. Anyway, when I saw this pic I decided that it was going to be my next painting.
I think I'm happy with the way it turned out although my husband says there is not much of a likeness..... but does it really have to be my son? I'm not too phased.
After sketching the subject on my stretched paper, I used masking fluid to preserve the white spray around the wake board. I painted a light blue wash over the water. When dry I started painting the features and body.
And then started with the wake board.
Moving on down to the reflections.... this was not an easy feat but I ploughed on.
After adding the reflections of the body cast on the water I felt that it was a bit harsh and lightly sprayed it and mopped the damp paper with a tissue to soften the colours slightly. When that was dry I started adding the blue shadows on the spray and painted in the background and the ski rope.
I put it aside for a while as I'd worked on it all morning and was feeling a bit weary. This also helped me to change gear and refresh the brain. I felt the water was a tad light and added another blue wash which brought the painting together a bit more. When it had dried I removed the masking fluid and darkened the spray a bit more to tie the reflections to the body.
Hope I've managed to do this, please don't feel shy to tell me what you think. My son is thrilled with it and I suppose that's all that matters.
Have a wonderful weekend and happy painting!
11 comments:
It's wonderful, Debbie. And, if you don't tell anyone it's your son who will know unless they happen to know him well. It's a wonderful work of art no matter who it is of.
Very cool Debbie! I really like the movement and energy! And I think that for an action/figure piece like this, you really don't need to have an exact likeness. I think the gesture is what's most important, and you've nailed that :)
Great to see you back again Debbie! This is absolutely fantastic - No woneder your son is so pleased! It's amazing! The water looks so real!
This is excellent Debbie! Especially like the spray! Don't know about the likeness, but it certainly portrays the energy of the skier (is that the same as wake-boarding, or is that a new word...?) Lovely work!
Crystal, I suppose you are right and I wasn't intending it to be a portrait for anyone specific either. But I appreciate the lovely comment about the movement and energy.... that's what appealed to me when I saw the photo! Thanks a million.
Hi Sandra, thanks for your words. Funny thing.... my youngest son said "Mum... where is the wake from the boat, the water looks too flat?" Now that's observance from a skier.... but he forgot that this was a side on shot and the boats wake was behind the boat.
Hi Maree and thanks for your lovely reply.The spray was the hardest to get right. Wake-boarding is similar to water-skiing. The board is slightly shorter though and wider and is used more for performing tricks.
Thanks so much Carol, you are so kind!
Gorgeous watercolour - and a lovely blog! I am now following :)
Hi Pat, happy you found me and thank you for your lovely feedback. I've just popped over to your blog and enjoyed seeing your WIP posts. Your watercolours are great as well at your cute little Missy who seems to rule the roost.... how wonderful! I have 2 Jacky's and they are so special to me too!!!! I look forward to following your blog.
Hi Debbie. I agree with the fact that the most important thing in this painting is that you have succeeded in conveying the movemement, the energy and excitement of the skier. Lovely!
Hi debbie,
Du jeudi au lundi je ne suis pas très présente sur le net! mais aujourd'hui je suis très heureuse de pouvoir surfer sur ton blog... pas comme le fait si bien ton fils dans la réalité du geste!
Magnifique aquarelle que celle-ci. Après m'être essayée cet été, je peux réaliser la, les difficultés rencontrées... Tu donnes avec aisance, mouvement, fluidité, fraîcheur à cette peinture. Bravo!Je serais heureuse d'apprendre à tes côtés. Bisous et à très bientôt.
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