Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Fresh fried fish, Essaouira

Fresh fried fish, Essaouira
Oils 30 x 40 cms
'Tis finished! I am over the moon with this because I now have another studio painting which actually beats it's plein-air brother, in my opinion, hands down!

This is exciting progress as, for a long time now, I have believed that all my best work is painted plein air. If I can now take plein air paintings and make a studio version based on them which changes and improves on my original vision this is a huge step for me!

I am now looking forward to doing the same thing with some of the plein air paintings I will bring back from Florida in a little over a fortnight's time.

Here's the original plein air painting so you can compare which was done in less than an hour to be fair...



And here is a detail from the studio version...


I absolutely love the depiction of the guy on the right and especially his cigarette! He became really friendly with me during the week as I was often painting in the area and he always called out to me as I passed. I wish I'd asked his name now! His job is looking after the toilets and he is sitting next to the entrance which is just around the corner.

I had to be so careful to keep the brushwork loose but descriptive, and when you are painting figures in a setting you must treat them just the same as you would any other part of the painting if you want them to look as though they belong there.





13 comments:

  1. I much prefer this painting to the en plein air version, far more subtle and nicer composition. Lovely.
    I like making watercolour sketches when I'm out to take home to paint up larger, or even in a different media.
    Have a great USA time.
    Joy

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    1. Thank you Joy! Working in different mediums in studio from plein air is also a great idea and something I will explore more one day. David Curtis does that a lot doesn't he?

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  2. This is spectacular! I especially love the brushstrokes on the ground and the warmth there. Really really nice!

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  3. It's so exciting when a plan works - the studio painting is great - gentle greys which make the patches of colour pop, and the figures work really well. I feel as though they are going to get up from their break any minute.
    I have yet to do more than a quick watercolour sketch en plein air. I have a long way to go!

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    1. Thanks ever so much Carol! I love your ink paintings, have you taken inks outside?

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    2. I mostly use a Lamy Safari pen or fibre tip with sepia ink and a small watercolour set - simple and easy to carry around.

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  4. Great job on this! And thank you for sharing your learning process! So valuable!

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  5. This is superb Haidee. Well done indeed, no wonder you're pleased! Very impressive how you've given the plein air piece a new lease of life and taken in it a different direction. That is not easy and you've nailed it really well.

    Enjoy Florida. Sounds great. Off to Seville shortly, looking forward to the sunshine (fingers crossed). Hope you have good weather in the USA.

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  6. Another belter Haidee. Rock and roll girl!

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Thank you for your words!