I'm not sure I have a 'comfort zone' when it comes to watercolours, but if I do this painting certainly isn't in it. I've again decided to tackle something I've never tried before. I wanted to use what I learned making the heat and steam clouds in my Steel Worker painting, but in a different scenario, so I decided to create a war scene with troops deploying from a helicopter in a swirling cloud of desert sand.
Just like my previous painting, I didn't know where to start nor how to get the effects I was looking for. I had a significant problem with scaling part way through and the final painting is the result of a 'rescue' job. I'm not thrilled with it, but I'm not disappointed either given the learning curve I was on. And I certainly did learn a lot from doing it.
I think you handled the sand cloud excellently John. The figures near the helicopter would probably be in a more crouched position to avoid the propeller blades above them. Trying to scale images from different sources into one painting is a nightmare - I know by experience.
ReplyDeleteYou're certainly being very adventurous these days, John. There's a lot about this painting that I like very much. As Frank says, getting the scale right is very difficult and you have done very well.
ReplyDeleteThe helicopter is a strong image and I think probably it could have made a painting on its own. Maybe you could have had a few blurry figures in the dust cloud.
Frank, you're right that the figures near the 'copter should be crouching. I knew the scaling would be tricky but I hadn't realised to what extent. Though it could be better (much) it was fun trying something comletely different. Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteKeith, you're right about being more adventurous. The only trouble with that is things don't always work out as we'd hoped. Still, it was an interesting exercise and I learned much from doing it. Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteI think this is very cleverly done. The cloud looks very real and the colours are spot on! And from your imagination? Wow!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra. To be honest, the more I see of this painting the less I like it. I can't say why, there is just something 'unsatisfactory' about it. My next one is going to be a little more conventional I think.
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