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New Watercolour for CPSWC Open Water Annual show

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21.08 slaley hall maluillustration PROMO - low res small

Gerry Mellor

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...If anyone has some thoughts on anything that should be changed please let me know.
David...a query rather than a suggested change...is there a particular reason to have the figures standing alone...if not, they could be more 'natural/casual' looking if some figures are in pairs or groups. Also a small touch of 'shadow' type texture where they stand would help ground them. Other than that I can't make any suggestions, as I think it's a very effective piece.

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by Gerry Mellor

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David Reeves, Cspwc, Sca

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You are right about the shadow, I will add that. The reason why the figures are posed as they are, besides them being in those spots in my reference photo, is that this location is extremely dangerous for sight seeing. There have been many deaths right there over the years due to people not paying attention to the warning signs and getting too close. The rocks are very slippery and if you fall in you do not get out alive. So I wanted them to appear to be cautious. In addition, that bay is the location of the Swiss air crash in 1998 which they are looking out at, so the mood is not upbeat.

AnonymousUser-8 AnonymousUser-8

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I liked the isolation of the individual people and now you've explained why makes it even more poignant. I also think shadows would be good and add to the back story. Love the rocks. I draw rocks and stones in my paintings,  very different from yours, but they are fascinating I find.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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I don't have any problem with the figures, I think the depth and space make this work well. I'm not sure what sort of board you're using, and if it would take any physical flexing of the material to help counteract the warp; but I suggest that heavy weights, without adding water on the back, ought to work.  Framing takes care of minor warping, but if you have a serious problem - a word with your framer might be a good idea: they have to deal with canvases and boards in every kind of awkward condition.
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David Reeves, Cspwc, Sca

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Thanks Julie and Robert for your comments regarding the figures, this is indeed quite a sad place although very popular with tourists. I visited the same location a couple of years ago in the summer and the rocks were crawling with tourists. Rather than them all looking out to sea they were all holding up their ridiculous cell phones taking pictures rather than living in the moment. I’m thinking of painting that at some point as a protest against how our society now behaves.  Robert - this is on Arches watercolour board and is the first time I’ve tried that as a base. It is thinner than the Crescent WC board and although it was pinned down when painting the pins did not hold and about 12 cm of the entire left side warped upwards. I have put it under weights overnight and so will report back the results. Cheers all.

Edited
by David Reeves, Cspwc, Sca

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David Reeves, Cspwc, Sca

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Just checked the piece to see if the flattening attempt worked and am happy to report that it did perfectly. In case anyone else needs to do this sometime here are the steps I followed: 1. I placed a sheet of craft paper overtop of a solid piece of plywood. 2. Set the painting face down on the craft paper and dampened the back side using a sponge but being careful not to saturate it and also not to let any water onto the face down side of the painting. 3. Applied another layer of craft paper over the dampened side. 4. Placed a stack of heavy books over the entire painting area. 5. Let it sit for 24 hours before removing everything. There was no bleed through from the dampened side or problem with water running under the edges. Came out completely flat.
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David Reeves, Cspwc, Sca

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Finally, here it is in a frame which I already had to fit the wc board. I am planning to apply a satin spray varnish followed by cold wax as the final finish so I don't have to use glass.

Edited
by David Reeves, Cspwc, Sca

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