Deb Ward, GWS, OWS, PWS, WSI - WATERCOLOR/WATER MEDIA - My passion is teaching adult “beginners”. Weekly classes in my home; workshops; classes for Cincinnati Recreation Commission. My work is nationally recognized and published - see “Featured” on my sidebar. I’m a Signature Member of Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana state Watercolor Societies, Cincinnati Art Club, past-President of Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society. Contact info below under “Class Information”

Friday, December 12, 2008

CHICAGO STREET SCENE

This is my first street scene – and I don’t think John Salminen has anything to worry about yet!!!

There was a bistro on the sidewalk and so many people walking along the street, but the brilliant orange of this woman’s sari caught my eye. I left out all the extraneous details and focused on her and her companion. My goal was to keep the eye focused on her and/or the flags, while the buildings faded into the background – just the way they did that day – it was slightly overcast and things in the distance were hazy.

Orange is not my favorite color, but when I began this painting I discovered that I have 3 tubes of various vermillion colors, as well as a couple more oranges I didn’t realize I had! (It’s amazing how much paint you accumulate over the years). The orange of the sari is a combination of various layers and blends of quinacridone gold, cadmium yellow, cadmium orange and the 3 vermillions.

Also, I have never done a thin, tall painting before, so it was interesting.

I think it’s done, but your comments, suggestions, critiques are welcome.

“Showing Their Stripes”, watercolor on Fabriano Artistico

4 comments:

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

Very nice. I enjoy the colors you've used. You didnt' mention, other than "tall and thin" the size of this painting. Can you share? I like the unusual "tall and thin".

Vicki Greene said...

I love the colors and the format. Great job.

RH Carpenter said...

Deb, I really like this - is that the flag of India above them with the US flags? The colors, the composition, the shape of the painting are all interesting and very well done :) What size is this? If you want to do a John Salminen, you'd have to darken a lot in the background to make us go right to the whites and then the orange of her sari :) But there's already one John Salminen - and one Deb Ward!

debwardart said...

Thanks for your comments! Size is 9" x 30"!