watercolour 24 x 32 cm
I seem to have a thing for fish lately. It could have something to do with the amount of laps I'm swimming. Actually it has more to do with paying almost 10 euros for this sea bass for my dinner. At that price it needed to be painted!
If the colours are a bit wild it's because I have been dipping into Shirley Trevena's book, Vibrant Watercolours.
I also actually did a thumbnail sketch before I started this still life to work out the composition. It's pretty busy, I know, and I do have one regret. I don't think I'll point it out.
If the colours are a bit wild it's because I have been dipping into Shirley Trevena's book, Vibrant Watercolours.
I also actually did a thumbnail sketch before I started this still life to work out the composition. It's pretty busy, I know, and I do have one regret. I don't think I'll point it out.
19 comments:
LOVELY ....
It works great for me!
It is a neat style! Very nice on the peppers and the fish!
I have to say I am thrilled to see you stretching yourself this way. I think the combination of color and monochrome is brilliant, and the fact that you carried the pink bottle over (the thing I suspect you are regretting) is actually the thing that makes this combination work so well. It's unexpected, and saves the treatment from being trite and gimmicky(sp?). It forces the viewer to linger over the perspective, and keeps the colored portion from popping completely out of frame. Your colors are gorgeous, and I'm thinking you must have blended your own greys because they work so well with the other colors. I would love to see you explore this concept more. It's really lovely.
I like this! Shirley has got a lot to answer for. Your work is really coming on in leaps and bounds - it'll be wanting to start pole vaulting soon!
I love the bottom 2/3 of the painting. It looks like you ran out of steam on the top area. If i were you, I'd do another painting of the fish, plate, peppers, lemon and turquoise and white shape under the plate, and let go of that magenta bottle and the things around it. You really make me want to paint a still life, you inspiration, you. Wonderful use of watercolors.
All I can say is - WOW! I can see the Shirley Trevena influence! I love the fish and those luscious red peppers especially!
Robyn, This is a great still life. You did a great job on the skin of the fish...nice blending of color. He looks almost good enough for me to eat, but I'll let you have him.
Judi - You picked it in one! The pink bottle poking out of the frame like that was a lucky accident, but I love it too. The bit I regret is actually the fig leave on the tea towel at the lower right hand corner. It spoils the effect of the chillies and their shadows.
Laura - You are pretty right too. The fish, plate and chillies are from life, the bottles and lemons, I made up. I really like them because of the colours which was much more in keeping with what I set out to achieve. The bottom two thirds of the painting is more realistic than I intended. I can't help myself.
Katherine - I love it when you think I'm getting better. :)
Thank you all for your terrific comments.
Of course I meant fig LEAF not fig leave!
Mmmm. I suppose a Still Life With Brisket Bone is out of the question.
Robyn - what have you been doing, your work has taken an incredible leap! I am so impressed! I love this piece. Just superb!
Anita - I've just been concentrating on my watercolours, instead of leaping all over every other medium. It pleases me enormously that you think I'm getting somewhere. :)
I just loved your big fish from a while ago, Tobyn and here again, I love your fish on the plate with the chilies. The colors of the fish is wonderful and I love the striking red of the chilies!
Ronell
Wow, this is, as others have said, such a big leap. I'm hugely impressed!
Robyn what and interesting abstracted composition. I love what you have done here.
Oh Roby, Your work just gets better all the time. What an inspiration to work harder! This is just amazing.
Very interesting the way you have the colour with the monochrome surround, the chillies are really jumping against the delicate pattern on the plate.
I must check out the book you mentioned.
Those chillies are jumping against the delicate pattern on the plate, great painting.
I must check out that book you mentioned.
The seed pod is exquisite.
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