Challenge # 17 - March 2012

J.V.Schaffer wrote

on 9 Mar 2012 7:51 AM

Thank yyou Jen ,the saddle was an after thought  it was to empty on the left ther wasn't room for all of it. I should have painted the front half I suppose            James

Thanks for the info Sandi    

holland2 wrote

on 9 Mar 2012 8:35 AM

WELCOME BACK, JAMES - - WE HAVE CERTAINLY MISSED YOU!  Sammy's daughter is a lovely gal and you have certainly done a beautiful job with her portrait!  I'm afraid to tackle it after the mess I made of her adorable great-granddaughter!   The scene you created with that old car is just perfect!  I remember "real" service stations and this one is certainly a great representation of them.  Great detail on the car and loving the attendant just sort of ambling out to put gas in that car.  Makes me smile!  AND the horses, too - - I just love that sweet photo and you have really given it the look of love that I feel while looking at it.  I think I did recognize the "stuff" on the side as a saddle, but it just is sort of in the "visible but out of direct sight" line and done nicely.  (Yes, Sandi - that's Johannes' "no fly zone"!)

Ah, Fred - the bears are waking up - - hope they aren't a little too early.  YAY springtime!  I just love the little bunnies peeking out - the cardinal, robin, and what ever that other little bird is (sparrow, maybe) are just as much of a perfect touch as the daffodils - - but, I'm wondering whre the crocus is.  Or maybe that's it just over the left of the cave opening?  Great spring tree - - no leaves yet, but you can just tell it's coming back alive, too.

I've been working on the crocus for the last several days (off and on) - I though I was ready to call it finished, but as I look at this photo, I see some more glazing spots I need to tackle.  And maybe work on those leaves a little more.  It's 8 x 10, oil on gessoed masonite panel.

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 9 Mar 2012 8:59 AM

My goodness, Holly, this crocus painting is splendid.  Those flowers are glowing.  You did really terrific with the values and that's what makes them so brilliant.  I like that some of the flowers simply fade into the background and those nice, strong highlights.  And I like the touches of color at the top right to suggest that there are more flowers back there.  And I love that you put oranges and yellows on the leaves.   That makes them look so real.  All it needs is a signature and a frame and a prominent wall or table easel to rest upon. 

J.V.Schaffer wrote

on 9 Mar 2012 11:45 AM

Holly I went back and compared your Crocus with the photo yours is far better the leaves are much better than the photo.   Thank you for your comments I'm glad to be back                James

holland2 wrote

on 9 Mar 2012 12:09 PM

Wow - Thanks Sammy and James - I am really pleased with it, too, but I always surprise myself when things actually turn out how I want them to - - it's like "Wow, wonder how I did that?"  The leaves are a little different than the photo - mine turned out a little "frilly" which was by accident, but then I decided I sort of liked it.  I also like the color - - the purple is nice, but I really like the way the glaze turned out with the aliz. crimson.  Thanks to both of you - - ego trip for a little while. 

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 9 Mar 2012 1:20 PM

You deserve to be on an ego trip over this splendid painting.  I meant  tell you that I like the color, also.  Beautiful.

bernof wrote

on 9 Mar 2012 3:35 PM

WOW Holly,This painting is simply awesome

Fred

holland2 wrote

on 9 Mar 2012 4:15 PM

THANK YOU, FRED!   Coming from a man of few words, I REALLY appreciate your comment.  You are our treasure!

wetpaperfan wrote

on 9 Mar 2012 4:40 PM

OH HOLLY!   Your painting is magnificent!  the colors, the blending, the back ground makes it pop, it is such a brilliant wow factor.   Great job ,   pat your self on the back....

JAMES -   hello,  I recognized the saddle, but then I was a country girl on a farm and we had horses and barns and every kind of farm animal.  good job with the horses.  I commend you for attempting the legs as there were no legs in the picture. good job warm colors. Try shading the post to make it cylinder looking.  and add darks to the saddle components, seat rising, seat jocky, horn, and rigging, the rings.  you certainly captured the faces on the horses.     I love your car, driver and attendant.  I will submit my car today as well.

FRED - you rock!

J.V.Schaffer wrote

on 9 Mar 2012 5:02 PM

Thank you Marsha, up until last august we had two horses to care for[my sons] but I was still guessing on their feet  I will shade the saddle accordinly         James

wetpaperfan wrote

on 9 Mar 2012 10:15 PM

Here is my rendition of the gas pump.  I added a picture of a car one of my family members has.  It is a 1931 Ford Coupe.   I have never done a car before.  

9x12 Stonehenge cream,  colored pencil.

holland2 wrote

on 10 Mar 2012 4:25 AM

Thanks Marsha and Jen - I really loved working on this one, too - - the only down side of doing a reasonably good one like this, is that now I have to accept the responsibility of doing it again - - I hope I am up for the challenge.  I really want to try to horses, but I'm sort of afraid of trying them. 

Marsha - I just love this scene and what you have done with it - - great perspective and oodles of elipses  (did you just hear Jen and me groan - - those are hugh challenges for both of us!) and what a great job!  I agree with Jen - these all need to be framed and assembled all together for a big "Marsha Show"!   Your work is incredible!