Paris, canvas 1167

Never painted Paris. So as the first, hard to say where this 44x40 wrap ends up. The Paris give away is of course the iconic Eiffel Tower. I don 't want there to be any confusion where this is. Kinda like our Empire State Building....(never painted that either). A painting needs a bit more than an imposing structure to make it a compelling, paintable subject able to find a proper wall to hang around on. Like something inspirational.... something moody like sunlight with some atmospheric air and water reflections to get your attention.

All one has to do is look at Google images to know Paris is an overwhelmingly gorgeous city. Photos, photos and more photos tell us it is. When France turns on the lights, gilding the lily is something France does exquisitely well like no other. What I love is they do it to excess. Paris is an eye popper to wet our whistle. A good art photographer with patience, a good eye and a bit of luck can tell a compelling story in the right situation. Both the art photographer and painter has to dream a bit more to make it go well beyond a simple photo to an aesthetic reality on photo paper or a studio canvas. 

I have a bit of a learning curve figuring out how to render the tower. The shape is easy, the stuff in between is another matter.

DAY 1, Saturday

DAY 2, Sunday

DAY 3, in the studio, Monday

DAY 4, Tuesday

DAY 5, Wednesday (focusing the light)

ONE MORE ADJUSTMENT

Untitled Paris 44x40 oil on linen wrap (8-16-17 canvas 1167)

My last day in Paris, I adjusted the light to a narrower path and darkened the tree line....in general, more muted tonally. A few boats or something of interest in the river might have made sense, but I like the quiet nature of this painting. The sky is intense and yet not. The tower works....all it needs is a proper name.

A FEW CLOSEUPS 

This one fared well. Lets just  say "beginners luck", because the next one didn't......