Monday, June 7, 2010

One Down, Two To Go

Joy
7x7
acrylic on canvas
sold

Here is the first of three paintings I am working on that have been commissioned by a neighbor (sorry about the slight glare across the top of the canvas). Her husband is celebrating a big birthday this summer and she wanted me to paint his pride and joy... a pond in their back yard that he has designed and laboured over (actually I'm pretty sure his baby grand-daughter is his official pride and joy, but the pond is a close second!). After she approached me, I gave the project some thought and then suggested that instead of one large painting I could do three smaller paintings with each one focusing on a detail of the pond. She loved that idea and that quickly became the plan. I really hope it turns out the way I see it in my mind's eye because she is completely trusting me on this one.

I have to say, this little painting has been glazed within an inch of it's life! I wanted to build up the colour of the water to give it depth and richness- especially against the bright, bold  colours of the fish. In the photos she provided for me, the water looked black and I wanted to avoid such extreme darkness in the painting. I'm pretty happy with the result; I really like the composition and how the colours are working together. Once the other two pieces are finished I may have to do a bit of tweaking to make sure they will work as a group.

Next up... the water lily... it's beautiful, but the petals are going to mess with my mind!

16 comments:

-Don said...

This is gorgeous, Nicki!!! I love everything about it - the composition, the water, the fish, the movement conveyed in the fins, the colors - just everything. What a lucky guy...

-Don

Tammy Hext said...

You have captured a real sense of movement and the composition just rocks. Cannot wait to see all of it together.

Janie B said...

I love this! It reminds me of a project I had my 6th graders do this year at school. They drew 2-3 koi going opposite directions on watercolor paper. Then they used crayon and/or paint to color the fish and watercolors for the water. They did a great job.

Nicki said...

Hi Don,

Thank you sooooo much! What a relief! You have such good "eyes" that I thought to myself "If Don likes it, it will be okay".

I am calmer now!

:o) Nicki


Hi Tammy,

I am so glad you like the composition, too. I was really happy with how it turned out. I had sketched it on paper before hand which I don't normally do. I just hope the next two work out as well.

Nicki


Hi Janie,

Oooh that sounds like a cool project. I bet they would look awesome hanging on a bulletin board together.

Nicki

suzanneberry said...

Nicki, this is just amazing! The composition is perfect and the deep blues behind the bright oranges are so beautiful. What a perfect gift this will make. Bravo!

Nicki said...

Hi Suzanne,

Your compliments mean more than words can say. I am such a huge admirer of your artwork (and you!). Thank you very much.

Nicki

Melanie Statnick said...

What a wonderful thought. It has depth and value.

Nicki said...

Thanks Melanie!

Anonymous said...

beautifully glazed Nicki and wonderful effect and composition. an dcongratulations on the commissions!

Nicki said...

Hi Rahina, so nice to hear from you! It was fun to watch the painting change with each layer added. I hope my neighbor is pleased with them- it is a bit nerve wracking.

Nicki

Karen Bruson said...

Wow, this came out awesome! Love everything about it; the composition, colors, edges...It must be very cool in person with the Iridescent Pearl paint.
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog.

Nicki said...

Hi Karen,

Thanks for stopping by! I appreciate your feedback on this one. I think the Iridescent Pearl really did add that extra something. Too bad it doesn't show up well in the photo.

I was happy to leave a comment on your blog! I will return!

Nicki

Anonymous said...

I love goldfish and yours are incredible. I haven't tried acrylics (yet) and when you talk about glazing I'm thinking watercolour when you set each layer dry completely so as not to muddy the under layers, is this the same for acrylics. What colors do you use to get such rich deep, dark 'blacks' without using black? if I may ask....
peace n abundance,
CheyAnne
http://cheyannesexton.etsy.com

Nicki said...

Hi CheyAnne,

Thank you for your wonderful comment. I don't mind you asking at all... that is the great thing about this blog world- we can all support each other with information, ideas and a common passion for art.

Basically I layered Phthalo Blue, Phthalo Green, Dioxazine Purple. I think I also used a smidge of Payne's Gray and Anthraquinone Blue mixed in with those other colours as I got to the upper layers. I don't usually use it, but I also added Acrylic Glazing Liquid with the paint, and water to thin it all out. This slowed the drying time between layers, but allowed me to blend the colours for better transitions.

Voila!

Nicki

Linny D. Vine said...

Nicki,

This is great, I love your perspective! (I'm certain that the person that commissioned this will treasure your work.)
And, I really like those big, bold, juicy strokes in your clouds, too.

Nicki said...

Thanks Linny,

So nice of you to stop by. I am about to show her the three paintings all together. Hopefully they will be well received.

I am looking forward to doing more of the clouds... on a larger scale, too.

Nicki