Sunday, April 11, 2010

On another ocean



Image 3 Water series
Stage 2
Acrylic on canvas
Barbara Muir © 2010
(The blue/green of the
ocean goes on as an
underpainting colour on the
shadow areas of the face, and
is the first layer on the ocean part of
the painting.)
My third model is originally from India, and although
she's never been to the ocean she decided she
wanted to be on the Indian Ocean where it meets
the island of Madagascar. So this is the colour of the
water there -- a greenish/turquoise colour. I wasn't
sure how to make the colour until I began, and then
I loved it.

So I painted the shadows on her face with this lovely
greeny blue, and then thought I'd start the ocean too.
The beach will be a tan colour, and the sky a quite
dark blue.

The other day I began obsessing about the fact that
I'm missing the Pacific Ocean in this series. But I
only have enough room in the show I'm entering
these pieces in for three paintings, so the Pacific
will have to wait. I decided to paint the models
against whatever oceans they wanted in the paintings.

I really love the painting at this stage, and have to
force myself over the hurdle of loving the underpainting
into the main work of getting the face right. That's
tomorrow's assignment.
Have a loving-the-work-you-do day.

6 comments:

eldonwarren said...

I know what you mean by liking this just the way it is. Like the guy says tho we've got to do away with our favorites to get a piece doner right. Looking forward to seeing it as it finishes.
E

Joan Breckwoldt said...

This is beautiful, I can't wait to see what you do next!
Joan

Karen Bruson said...

Yes, I love the freshness of the underpainting and find I have trouble letting go of it.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Eldon.

Of course it looks bizarre like this, but you're right I have to think about where I'm going with it, and getter done right.

Thanks for helping me keep moving on it.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Joan,

Of course it's going to turn into a portrait, not nearly as acid rock as it is right here.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Karen,

You do such a lovely job with letting the underpainting through that I'm always staring at your work trying to determine what colour you used for the underpainting. I love your work.

Take care,

Barbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!