Nancy Speaker, QPSA, PPSA
November 2023 - Pomegranate Still Life
Original
About the Image(s)
I created this still life and used two lights. I think my second light was a bit too strong as it created a false sense of reality in terms of light conditions. I wanted to keep the drapery look but see I need to work on this too. A learning experience. Painted with the mixer brush and use a bristle brush and a skin blender here and there. For Drapery used the General Greasy Blender for those who know MP brushes.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
9 comments posted
An excellent painting - very photorealistic. I need to do more of these. Your brush strokes are always wonderful, and thanks for the info on what brushes you used. I especially love the brush strokes on the flowers. I know you think it needs more work, but I think it is wonderful as it is. Posted: 11/17/2023 10:01:51
I am learning a lot about still life. A current insight is to use one light to get strong shadows and highlights which tend to make a still like and painting more interesting. Plus, I think my background doesn't add enough texture but I will work on this too.
Thank you for your kind words Posted: 11/17/2023 16:37:07
Thank you for your kind words Posted: 11/17/2023 16:37:07
Your painting brush is as always excellent. Great subject and complimentary colours, I think the light direction, is a way to direct the viewers eyes, (that's the exercise I am doing now at "elevate your art"),
Posted: 11/18/2023 22:02:39
Posted: 11/18/2023 22:02:39
Thank you for your kind words,
Yes the use of light for focus is important, and for still life set ups I am now taking a drawing class and learning that a strong one light is best to get shadows and highlights to give a sense of WOW. Posted: 11/19/2023 10:35:30
Yes the use of light for focus is important, and for still life set ups I am now taking a drawing class and learning that a strong one light is best to get shadows and highlights to give a sense of WOW. Posted: 11/19/2023 10:35:30
A wonderful creation and well thought of. I can see and understand that one can continue to experiment with lighting and several setups. Your use of brushes are amazing . Well done and keep it up. Posted: 11/19/2023 04:03:02
Thank you Gerhard. Posted: 11/19/2023 10:36:03
Still life is a definite challenge! I agree, your 2nd light is a tad too strong. I always think of doing still as if it were beside a window with the outside diffused light streaming in and working around that light source as primary. I'm sorry you didn't retain the cottage scene on the teapot. There's good circular motion within the image. You're correct about the drapery in the lower right corner. As the teapot is the most dominant subject, should that be what the horizontal balance line be based upon? To my eye, it tips the image to the left. A great starting point for what will be a wonderful still life! Posted: 11/19/2023 11:31:26
Wonderful points Trey. Yes this is definitely a starting point image. Thank you for your comments great ideas. I truly appreciate them.
Posted: 11/19/2023 11:50:03
Posted: 11/19/2023 11:50:03
I like the way the final painting looks, as the photo original looked like the teapot was tilting slightly. Your brush strokes are so smooth that they hardly seem there, very photo-realistic to my eye. The painting smooths out the blotchy skin of the pomegranates, yet the flowers stay sharp. Posted: 11/30/2023 12:31:57