Thursday, October 22, 2009

Crossing Queen Street

40 x 32
Oil on board
I learned several things while doing this painting. Space is important. Being in such a small studio space, I had to drag this large painting into another room several times to stand back and look at it. Also, an area dedicated to photographing is important. Glare from lights, or outside on a windy day just doesn't do it. As in a smaller painting, its important to keep the areas of value consistent. Working large, I found it easier to get fussy with areas and get too busy rather than focusing on the "big picture". I have learned a lot, but I think I will go a bit smaller until my space is ready.
People are crossing Queen Street in Toronto on yet another rainy day. This painting isn't quite finished. I need to add streetcar lines and rework a few values.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

What great light and reflections in this painting! Finished or not, it is already stunning. I agree that the scale at which one works is important, both for the space needed to work and for the space needed to view the work properly.

Tammy Hext said...

What a great painting. I love the way the buildings way in the background just fade into the sky. You always get great depth in your paintings and those reflections - amazing!

Sarah said...

Gosh, this could almost have been today. Your rainy day paintings are always to atmospheric. From where I sit, this seems to work well as a large painting. Good luck with the new studio space, I could really use some room myself.

Unknown said...

Oh Catherine, this is so lovely. It almost looks like an abstract in the way you treated those city buildings but you know they are buildings!

I feel the cold and wet looking at the reflections and the folks crossing the street holding their umbrellas close. You paint the vehicles so well. I find them a challenge still. Thank you so much for sharing those tips. I want to go larger too!

Mike Barr said...

Really nice wet-weather painting - well done
cheers
Mike

magicmyst said...

Hey, Catherine. I love this piece. The colors, the perspective, your ability to capture distance and your reflections are all amazing. Well done.

Its good to learn something new with every project. It sounds as though you have managed to resolve all your problems.

Kay

magicmyst said...

Oh, I forgot to say this scene is just like in Melbourne. We have trams that run down the centre of our city streets too. Kay

Ramesh Jhawar said...

Aah! What a place!! And what a scene!! You have painted this beautifully! Cheers to my new friend from Canada!
And Thanks for your wonderful comment on my blog!

David Walker said...

I came across your blog. I love the quality of light in this painting. I'm in London but we have a friend in Dundas, Julia Kollek, You probably don't know her but she's quite active in the local community, so maybe! Take a look at my blog you might like some of the work.

All the best. David

Laurel Daniel said...

Spectacular!