Thursday, March 18, 2010

Streetcar #504, Dundas Street, Toronto

16x20 Oil on Stretched Canvas
I liked the reflective blue in this painting, contrasting with the darkness of the buildings. This is Dundas Street in Toronto. Please excuse the poor photo and glare. Time to do some serious research and find out how to take some quality photos!
Note:I retook this photo using a white sheet draped over the painting on the easel, trying to simulate a "light tent". The results were somewhat better. I was hoping to try and  make a light box/tent, but after pricing fabric and framing in either tubing or wood,  I  broke down and ordered a 60" x 60" light tent from ebay. This will be large enough to photograph a 30x40 painting inside.  Dreama Tolle Perry used one of these to photograph the paintings for her book and was pleased with the results.If you are getting ready to submit paintings for gallery representaion, or art shows, it is important to have good photos. I'm looking forward to not having to struggle with glare and hot spots! If you are looking for them on ebay, search for "light tent" or light box. They are available in various sizes.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great definition of the wet highlights on the street, and yes, contrasted with the more abstract shapes of the buildings behind. I really like the colors and composition in this one. And the subject matter of "Waiting Patiently for Timbits" pulls at the heartstrings of dog-lovers!

Marie Theron said...

Once again, I admire your technique and sense of place, Catherine! Oil paints shine somewhat and also varnished work. My problem is that images are always looking bluer than they are, and it takes a lot of photo-editing to tone them down>

Unknown said...

Dang... you make it difficult to have a favorite painting of yourself when you seem to keep upping the ante! I love this. The cold blues really contrast with the hot red of the trolley.

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

How do you keep turning out these incredible urban scenes??? This is another wonderful example of you extreme talent. It looks cold and wet and the reflections are perfection!

You must spend every rainy day on a street corner with a camera.

schilderijenfoto said...

I so much love your urban rainy scenes. They're fantastic.

Edward Burton said...

This is such a wonderful piece, Catherine. There is so much to love about it - the mood, the composition, the reflective quality and the glow of the lights.

Ramesh Jhawar said...

WOW! Wonderful job, Catherine! Love the light and the reflections!!

Janelle Goodwin said...

I like being able to click on the image and see the texture underneath. It gives your paintings a "second dimension". Is that from the gesso? Beautiful painting, Catherine!

Sarah said...

I am finally almost caught up with my blog reading. This is another great addition to your urban series. Great light and sense of atmosphere.

magicmyst said...

I was drawn to the colors and reflections in this painting. Hows the art gallery business going? Have you approached anyone?

Gwen Bell said...

The blue reflections in this are so alluring and I love that deep perspective that pulls the view right into the painting. Excellent!

Thanks for the heads up on the light tent. Sounds like a worthwhile investment.