Painters Online Logo

Login/register

Studio

London Scene - Photo > Sketch > Layers > Complete ?

Welcome to the forum.

Here you can discuss all things art with like-minded artists, join regular painting challenges, ask questions, buy and sell art materials and much more.

Make sure you sign in or register to join the discussions.

Hang on Studio Wall
Showing page 1 of 2
Author
Message
DISCORD

Richard Lawrence

  • Forum Member
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 13
Posted
Hello, I plan to paint a London street scene from a photo I took recently. The photo is nothing special but I like everything that is in it. I actually started a version of the photo last week, and I hereby admit I initially TRACED the photo at A3 size. The tracing was perfect in every detail except that: - There was no depth - No expression - No interpretation So I instead started to sketch from the photo instead - see below (I will upload the traced version aswell when I get a chance. I am not sure what paint I will use for the peice, I am on some thick mixed media paper which will take just about anything. Thanks

Edited
by Richard Lawrence

IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 14045
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 4572
Posted
Looking forward to seeing how you tackle it . The problem with tracing fro a photo is that you reproduce the flat image, you can tweak the  odd lines to get the perspective better with a sketch and ad you know your colours will give it some depth as well. I’m particularly interested in the medium you use , it would be watercolour for me as I only use them it’s case of sketch or watercolour so not pondering over which medium to use.

Alan Bickley

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 9081
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 3432
Posted
A fairly complex undertaking Richard, and no doubt challenging… it certainly would be for me! The issue here is that as so often happens, the camera lens has distorted the image, leaving the buildings ‘leaning’ somewhat… so if you use this as your template, the viewer will immediately realise that you’ve worked from a photograph. I would have used the image as a guide and made sure everything was upright, but we all see things differently! The architecture is the star here, and for me, the taxi is almost plumb centre and pretty large, but it could work. But perhaps that was your intention! I’ll be interested in seeing how this progresses, watercolour, ink and more solid areas of gouache would be my choice, and I’d start by laying, or washing in my deepest tones. On reflection , I would lay a neutral wash over the whole surface and let this go bone dry before proceeding, this will give you some degree of uniformity throughout the piece. Some initial pencil work will inevitably show through, but that isn’t necessarily a detriment and is often considered advantageous!

Edited
by Alan Bickley

DISCORD

Richard Lawrence

  • Forum Member
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 13
Posted
I actually got my paints out at last. Sat in the garden, it was a bit gusty and I easily distracted by the rabbits. Totally not happy with how this has started. I got the gouache out in the end, I seem to attack the page in sporadic areas, rather than in isolated sections. Hmmmm
DISCORD

Richard Lawrence

  • Forum Member
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 13
Posted
Getting looser and more blocky by the minute. Have reworked the buildings on the right. I am not going to neatness. 
IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 14045
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 4572
Posted
I really like how this is developing. 
disc world_Fotor

Alan Beresford

  • Forum Expert
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 478
Posted
love the photo, and you have set yourself a real challenge Richard. Your painting is coming on leaps and bounds. I particulay like the way you have simplified the background by omitting things.
disc world_Fotor

Alan Beresford

  • Forum Expert
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 478
Posted
by the by, is this taken near the BANK.
DISCORD

Richard Lawrence

  • Forum Member
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 13
Posted
by the by, is this taken near the BANK.
Alan Beresford on 15/06/2023 12:21:35
22 Bishopsgate London, England https://www.google.com/maps/@51.5145779,-0.0833375,3a,75y,236.83h,87.7t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s3SIhD9WdOBWDPII19mmahg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D3SIhD9WdOBWDPII19mmahg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D112.14584%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
DISCORD

Richard Lawrence

  • Forum Member
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 13
Posted
Session 3. Working my way down the right hand side and then to the taxi and lampost There are areas I am happy with, and areas that I am less happy with. Also, the lens distortion I seem to have copied is annoying me, but it's too late to change that. Correction, its just the angle I am taking the photo!

Edited
by Richard Lawrence

Alan Bickley

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 9081
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 3432
Posted
It’s developing nicely Richard, not an easy subject but you’re working it up in sort of layers, which I think is the way to go! I did mention the sloping buildings earlier, but I think you’ve just about got away with it, let’s say that it adds another dimension!
21.08 slaley hall maluillustration PROMO - low res small

Gerry Mellor

  • Forum Member +
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 113
Posted
I like the strong lines and contrast you are developing in this. May I ask where do you wish to lead your viewers around, in terms of composition and focal areas of importance/priority/interest?  I ask because I imagine there is a risk that, if the yellow on the taxi and the red of the bus are too saturated, they may become so strong as to pull too much attention away, or unnecessarily compete with, your intended focal areas. That said, I can see an argument for splashes of colour for energy and contrast. I'd be interested in your thoughts. Cheers
Showing page 1 of 2