March Snow is Unusual in Oregon
I’ve been working in the studio, experimenting with all kinds of paintings: landscapes, figures, watercolors, acrylics, oils… This cold weather seems to have been influencing my color palette. I usually prefer warmer hues, but recently my new work has been drifting to the cooler side of the palette.
My most recent figure in the landscape has been giving me trouble for over a month. Patrons often ask, ‘How long does it take you to complete a painting?’ The answer can vary so much! Usually I spend no more than a week on a painting, but this one has given me fits. I didn’t even realize I’d been working so long on it until I took it to my critique group yesterday and they said I had brought the same one last month!
This image started with a landscape, but I wanted to put the human element in too. Here was my original painting.
Original Inspiration, “Montana” Acrylic on yupo ©Ruth Armitage
Here it is with the figure in several of its variations. I’m still committed to the idea, but I may have to start fresh on this one. I’ve been having trouble with trying to get the figure to dominate over the waterfall. Both are about the same size, and the values and colors have been at war. Do you think that the figure stands up to the falls now?
Previous version 1
Previous Version II
Final Version of ‘Water Witch’ ©Ruth Armitage 15×22″ Acrylic on Paper
Post Update: After showing this version to my critique group this week, I decided even more changes were needed. Here is what I HOPE is the final version!
Water Witch © Ruth Armitage Acrylic on paper 15″x15″
great job you put paint in the wash and pushed the waterfall in to2nd place.
Thanks Bruce!
Wow! Toning down the white in the falls and haloing her with darks made such a difference. Thanks for the opportunity to “see”.
Thanks Liz… I still need a bit of perspective on it to make sure I loke it…