Spring lily pads, transformed

My last painting finished, I decided to take the day off to think about my next. And, write a bit about the process I typically go through deciding "what's next". Especially if the intent is for a best wall.

This photo was taken yesterday of my deck pond. The pond inhabitants, a few dozen goldfish were celebrating fresh spring lily pads to munch on.

Deck pond 4/3/20 (original photo)

Things can change in Photoshop

Deck lily pond 4/3/20 (modified)

The faint red lines represent a very interesting compositional flow present. The bubbles are icing on the cake. Lilies will be along in a week or so. And, soon the pond will be covered. As possible painting reference, it has a way to go. I don't care for the empty shadow band at the top. I could crop it, but the bubbles would be lost or make little sense.

Transforming is another way of cropping without using the crop tool. The transform tool in Photoshop editing expands an image by stretching outside the frame in the direction you want it to go. The scale or size of the frame remains the same.

 Transformed into a workable composition

Add red line & expanded right & left top lily pads around bubbles (warp tool)

It would help staying the course if red movement/flow lines are left in place when using a monitor or printed on glossy photo paper. If necessary, the image could be resized to a canvas without cropping. Obviously, distortion could be an issue if it were extreme. 

At this point a good background reference. A setting, a colour or mood will trigger my final choice in nano seconds.... might take a while to get there! Replacing the goldfish with my signature Koi fish, I'm known for as a painter would come later during the painting process. Only if the painting has lilies. 

 Changes for art, colour and mood

Lightened and warmed

Manipulated in colour correction

Toned cooler

 Into something interesting

I think all the above, waves and manipulating saturation got me here?

Why would this image be a trigger over more representational realistic ones? As a designer it would get my attention, as a true representational painter.... perhaps not. But, then, I am a hybrid when it comes to art. I like both extremes and more likely to collect modern art over traditional. I see this as a very large painting, as in billboard size....

Original movement red lines are barely visible.... reinstated.

          With scale could easily compete with contemporary art!

Art starts here

SIPSwimming-in-Paint

A casual arrangement

My next canvas will be a 36x40, an almost square at 1440 sq. in. The smallest rectangle I paint these days. I especially like the proportions of an almost square canvas because it looks good either way turned. Big enough for a floater or gallery frame or reproduction purposes. With a good digital capture, a reproduction can, be larger than the original is always a consideration. A smaller canvas would have limitations sizing up.

36x40 linen canvas (1325) on easel to show scale

A CASUAL ARRANGEMENT 36x40 oil on linen 4/4/20

The story behind the painting

Maymont 090 reference for canvas 1325 3/29/20

I was attracted to the colour of the Koi, sunlight and reflected transparency on the water. The composition will require modification to my canvas size. In the end a reference is only a starting point to bigger story.

Mid-day sun from skylights.... break time until it passes

Canvas 1325-1 at days end 3/29/20

At this point, the Koi are only suggestions and subject to change. I am not totally happy with the placement of the first yellow Koi.... will see

Yellow Koi Time Comparison

1325-1 detail to show brushwork & texture 3/29/20

1325-6 progress 4/3/20

Original reference (cropped)

I want movement and textured brushwork to dominate. I already know to the adjust the placement of my Koi first thing next session.

Canvas 1325-2 at days end 3/30/20

 

It was a productive session. The first Koi arrangement finalize, established a movement leading the eye to a counter move started by a red Koi (top-right).  The red-line illustration (below) demonstrates how each movement intersects with counter moves.

A new addition to my composition, some twigs or branches extending out of the water meant to bring the eye to the bottom and meet up with the right-hand koi. Still in the development stage (lower-right). I also believe the composition could use another Koi sweeping up at the bottom left to ground the movement and painting (small red line).

My mixing table, old school desk with pullout shelf

I normally don't cover a canvas completely.... it has tendency to close a canvas down to new ideas. However, in my last session some twigs/branches projecting out of my canvas with cast shadows.... caused me to rethink doing so. The execution or process required it be covered and wet. My intention to have an element with a 3-D effect.... The twigs could be an interesting juxtapose to curves.... will soon see if it works out.

Canvas  1325-3 at days end 3/31/20

Cream Koi and Straight red-lines illustrate the idea. 3/31/20

I like the addition of the off-white leaf design to the twigs (below), The off-white plays well against the background colour. Plus, shadows cast on the water surface.
 

Canvas 1325-4 at days end 4/1/20

1325-4 Detail showing 3-D effect

They play rough and for keeps. Scarlet has the upper hand in this battle

All this for possession of Riley's pink ball....  

Tomorrow could see an end to this canvas with a signature. The canvas is ready for a top down review and final punctuation!  

Canvas 1325-5 at days end 4/2/20

After a long day

Study last night revealed a balance problem with my Koi arrangement. The new white Koi added at the bottom left me with two parallel lines. Needs something to redirect the eye.... a Friday morning challenge ahead!

First thing, some Koi references to help me out.  I found one from the same day (below).

Red-lines represent possible solutions

The trick, inserting new players into a pack filled finished work.... New Koi could be under or over the other too.

Canvas 1325-6 at days end 4/3/20

Not exactly to my plan, but sort of works! The bottom Koi placed under the white Koi is not dominate. The other is a partial Koi heading into the canvas and merge into the tree shadows (upper right). Basically, all this joined up several moments. (red line below)

Balancing the "bright" Koi at the bottom was driving me crazy! If it were darkened, it would redirect the eye back to golden/yellow Koi. It's either that or put something in the upper right-hand corner to balance it! I could, but this puppy is done! Knowing when to stop is a good thing!

Well! Back at the same spot an empty easel....

SIPSwimming-in-Paint