A weeks worth of paint and Canvas - Koi & Lilies 1262

My most indispensable tool is my camera, not sure what I would do without it. Yesterday I finished up a new square Koi and Lily canvas. In some ways a smaller companion to my last. While painting 1262  I would occasionally break, mosey out on the deck and snap a round of lily photos. I did this throughout the last painting to. While I wasn't thinking of the next painting it was actually forming up on its own.

Companions 32x32 oil on linen (7-25-18 canvas 1262)

All I had to do was add a few possible Koi references to some of my favorite pond shots and I was good to go.

This photo (above) is the feel and look I wanted to convey on my 32x32  square canvas below.

COMPOSITION & DESIGN

There was one lily reference I knew straight-up would find a home - however it was in full sun so adjustments would have to happen at some point.

 

The references below were taken in the rain. They were mood compatible with my main gray day reference, and used to construct the left side. The Koi references were whittled down to this pair.

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NEXT FEW SESSIONS

I started each session fresh at the top and worked down. The koi and lilies required three passes. It also rained throughout the week... with some wind! The pond was rearranged a bit:=)

I rather like how it worked out. Never expected the iris to expand like it did, but the fish are happy. They only come up at feeding time.

FINAL SESSION IN A FRAME

MY FAVORITE MOODY POND SHOT

Making art? Feel free to use any of the photo references on this site! Enjoy your week!

A weeks worth of paint and canvas - Canvas 1261

Sometimes for me inspiration is a single word, a photo or an array of bits and pieces. Pieces visually comfortable together only looking for a binder to hold it together and transform conceptual inspiration into a tangible.

The inspiration, concept or idea is always the challenge of each new blank white canvas. That first mark is the commitment to follow through with problem solving, adjusting perspective, scale, different light sources and colour balancing to a conclusion.....
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SESSION ONE - CANVAS 1261

 DESIGN & COMPOSITION

A quick layout design established my basic guidelines to get the ball rolling. A pair of Koi taking a turn in their new lily garden is a possible narrative/story-line

WORKING TOP, DOWN

1261-1 Oil on linen 50x44 (7-13-18)

POND SPARKLE - SESSION TWO

My favorite thing, our pond will shift and change all day, every day throughout the year. Regardless of size, all the information is there. The trick is learning to reorganize it into broader ideas. BTW the deck pond does have a large population of goldfish, large ones at that!

1261-2 Oil on linen 50x44 (7-14-18)
 

SESSION THREE

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1261-3 Oil on linen 50x44 (7-15-18)

SESSION 4

 

 1261-4 Oil on linen 50x44 (7-16-18)

SESSION 5

 1261-5 Oil on linen 50x44 (7-17-18)

SESSION 6

 1261-6 Oil on linen 50x44 (7-18-18)

  

SESSION 7

The pond lilies are moving into a second flowering... so far only one lonely pink flower. Goes to show you what can be done with a single bit of information.

 

 1261-7 Oil on linen 50x44 (7-18-18)

SESSION 8 - FINAL

Often, the last session is finish framed, in this case a silver floater. I find it a valuable last check  before moving on or thinking about the next canvas.

COMPLETED CANVAS

 Untitled Koi & Lily 50x44 oil on linen (7-20-18 canvas 1261)

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Regardless of some weird Windows 10 issues yesterday it was a good week at the easel. Only thing left is a title and wall... Better yet a boot out the door!!