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The idea seemed fine, in my head
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Message
Posted
Wip, and it's at that awful stage where I'm wondering if the main shadow is just too powerful and I've over done it.... or wondering whether it will become okay once I have more definition within it, and more darks in the remainder of the scene.... so my question.... do I abandon this and start again, aiming for a less sharp and less heavy shadow?
I'm trying to work colour and interest in shadows, as well as get values correct.
Thanks gang.
It was all going to work out so well, in me 'ead.
(Low res copy inserted...)
Posted
Continue a while longer yet, work up some deeper shadows where the opportunity arises.
Needs a bit more three-dimensional shading on the main building perhaps…and I see a good area in shadow next to the building, that could be exploited more to help balance the left portion a bit!
Be careful highlighting people or objects within that strong shadow portion, generally speaking, pretty much everything within that area would be in shadow…but I haven’t had the advantage of seeing the original photo you’re presumably using.
Have another session and pull it together, I’m confident that I could do something with it, so give it your best shot!
Posted
Good advice there - I agree that you should persist with it; don't go losing confidence in yourself, work slowly and thoughtfully and ..... DON'T PANIC! Sorry for the shout..... I remember getting into a pickle while painting, going hot and cold, muttering "I can't do this", but then reflecting that no one was watching me so it didn't matter if I did it or didn't do it; and that helped; as did taking a break for a nice cup of tea and a couple of custard creams.
As yet, to be a touch more specific, you have nothing in that shadow area but just that, shadow; nothing in it is worked out or resolved - and the edge of the shadow is very regular and definite - as it may be in reality, but a little break in it, a chink of light, anything to disrupt the edge, could help, together with some definition in the shadow area (bearing Alan's advice in mind). Believe in yourself, but if, at the end of the day, you look at it and think this would look just lovely decorating my waste-bin - chuck it without a murmur of regret; you'll have learned from it, you'll still have the original idea, and you can have another go at it armed with the knowledge you've acquired.
Posted
Thank you Alan and Robert, for your encouragement. You know when, in your mind, it's going to work out a certain way, and it doesn't....I was at that stage...not displeased with it, and not disheartened, but just wondering whether, if I continued with it, I would still be disappointed with it. I really like how watercolour can be unpredictable, and I find beauty sometimes in what it does and how it behaves when you're not in full control of it, but really I don't think that's the issue for me with this stage....it is the parts and aspect I thought I could predict and control that I'm unsettled with.
I'm more than happy with the concept of starting afresh with it, but was in two minds whether it was just one of those moments where you stumble, but if you continue, it becomes alright in the end.
There are areas I still have to work on, and there are areas I need to define, for the whole painting is just at a work in progress stage, and I haven't added any 'dark details' as well, yet. I'll be defining more, look for darker value opportunities, and will take on the idea of breaking the edge.
Having had a few days away from it, and with your words of encouragement, I've decided to continue with it and see where I can take it. If I'm still a bit flat about it at the end, I will certainly do another, building on the 'experience' and result, because there is a beauty in the contrasts and shapes I wish to capture. It's also quite a challenge, as the angle of light is only giving me limited scope to define the three-dimensionality of the building, but I'll do something with it...even if I gently distort the laws of physics, lol. Thank you, guys.
(PS In terms of a photograph of the actual scene, I'm not copying it verbatim....there are no shadows, and very little pedestrian activity, so there are a number of aspects I'm designing/inventing in this one. I'm even tempted to invent some overhanging branches into the upper part, once I've darkened the sky more.)