Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Yonge Street Rain, Toronto

18x18 Oil on Stretched Canvas
I decided to do the monochrome block in again. I used transparent red oxide and then added some ivory black to get the darkest darks. In the final painting, I made the left hand side a little darker in value, as it seemed to fade out of the picture. Adding some darker areas allowed everything to stay together.
We can learn a lot from each other in blogville. Carol Schiff's painting of green grapes made me think a lot more about adding dabs of reflective color. Also, looking at Tammy Hext's work and process with the palette knife has allowed my to be a little braver adding more knife work. I used it in the sky and to add a few dabs of reflections and pure color.

14 comments:

Lori Bonanni said...

I love these rainy day paintings. If I get brave enough I think I'll try one when it rains.

JRonson said...

Wow I think it's not easy to represent and paint rainy days, and u do it very well ! i'm jealous

Ramesh Jhawar said...

Lovely yet again Catherine and you are right about us learning from each other. Keep it going :)

Tammy Hext said...

Hi Catherine, I like where you put in the knife work - it makes the light look like it is shimmering - nice affect!

myra anderson said...

This is beautiful! I love the girl walking down the street!

Marie Theron said...

I enjoy everyone of your paintings as they come off your easel, Catherine. You are the reigning queen of city traffic and slippery streets!

Your process is so surprising to me as I have always wondered how you work. My, it is difficult, I am none the wiser! Will just continue to enjoy them!

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful Catherine, and those bits of brilliant color are just right. You were right in darkening that left side; it holds everything in now. And thanks for the reference to the other blogs -- I learn so much from you and other painters, even though never using paint myself.

magicmyst said...

I am enjoying seeing the tonal work that you are utilising before finishing the painting. Love the reflections. Kay

r garriott said...

I love these dark and rainy scenes! It's rarely rainy where I am so I enjoy soaking up the view vicariously. A really marvelous painting. Bet you can't paint these fast enough for your collectors.

Montag said...

The monochrome with red oxide reminds me of the photos of the dust storms in Australia and China recently.
It's probably what Martian cities look like when the winds kick up.

Gwen Bell said...

Excellent results on both of these! I'll have to try that method although I can see mine turning to mud quickly. You have such a talent for these rainy scenes!

Mary Anne Cary said...

Haven't been in the loop Catherine, it has taken me a long time to get back in the swing, and having a few moments of "truth" about painting. Hah, just realized I could have said moments of "doubt", but didn't!! All kinds of discoveries in my psyche....
Looks like you've been busy, hope it's getting sunny there!!!!

Sarah said...

Another winner! The red-oxide under-painting really works well here, getting the values right first is more than half the battle isn't it? You must have quite a lot of larger paintings ready now. When you get your show together I will definitely make the effort to come up and see it. You really inspire me to try to work larger.

Becky Joy said...

Enjoyed finding your blog. I like the urban scenes. Very nice painting.