After, "tweaking" the lighthouse, I just had to try something else. I was frustrated. I had some paint left over and hate to waste it (recession you know). So I decided to try something very different. The fact that I didn't overthink it or put so much pressure on myself seems to have worked to some degree. I just sketched it out and started, "marbelizing" like crazy (CW, you would be proud... I just loaded the brush and hit the canvas!!) I let the paint stay where it landed and how it landed. I, "overdid it" a bit when it came to the marbelizing the sky but I needed to just do it and not back off which is what I've been doing. Now that I've done that, I can tame the next attempt at this technique. But for now, what ya see is what ya get. I know I could go in and tweak this one but I ain't gonna. I'm leaving it just the way it is. (I lied, I just "tweaked it" but not all that much and I'm thinking about going back in again!) Somebody save me from myself! I think that the painting lacks a focal point.... a place where the eye just goes automatically. I'm not sure how to incorporate that at this point but I'll keep thinking it thru and IF I can, I'll go back in and see what I can do. I'm thinking I've gotta, "pop" one of those sailboats! Any suggestions?
The painting is from a photo I took in July of 2005 at the starting line of the Trans Pac. www.transpacificyc.org. The Trans Pac is a sailboat race from So Cal to Hawaii and it's held every other year. I woke up that morning and looked out the window only to see many large sailboats grouped together on a very overcast morning. I grabbed my camera and headed for the cliffs where I sat and watched the boats jockey for position. This is the very start of the race. Within 20 minutes, the boats had all disappeared into the heavy marine layer on their way to Hawaii.
Competed on 3/14/2009
UPDATE! 3/16/2009 I've added a little, "highlight" to one of the sails to hopefully draw more attention to a point on the canvas. At Victoria's suggestion, I lengthened the sail a bit and arched it along the left side to give it more motion. (Hmmmm, I wonder if it won!) Can you tell which boat I'm talking about? It's subtle but it's there. Thanks for the tip Victoria!!
