My honey LOVES racing, both Nascar and Indy cars. A few years ago on race day we visited the garages at the Kentucky Speedway, and I wanted to paint the sense of determination and teamwork that I felt there. Starting with one good white shape, I began painting a pale warm wash over all but the white shape. Next, I added in a few really dark shapes touching the white shape, then pulled together the dark and white shapes with more color and value. My focus was on painting the shapes and values that I saw in my reference photo and wanted to avoid painting a shirt or a car, etc.
The final placement of the black, white, and red shapes complimented by the grayed shapes of the garage walls and ceiling helps give the painting a sense of excitement and energy, which is what I'd hoped for. The blacks in the painting were made from Daniel Smith watercolor paints - Ultramarine Turquoise, Quinacridone Magenta, Quinacridone Burnt Orange, and Indanthrone Blue, mixed together fluidly on the paper for the most part. I liked connecting as many dark shapes together as I could, making no distinction between dark objects.
Seems like there's a bit of teamwork between the values, shapes and colors in the painting. I painted this about four years ago, and I still smile when I think about what a challenge it was and how much fun I had painting it.
"IT'S ALL TEAMWORK" Transparent Watercolor on 140#CP Arches, 30 x 22"
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9 comments:
thank you so much Sandy, explaining to us how you did this. And I was just going to look up the recipe for black.
You have captured the excitment of race day!
Wow! 4 year's ago and you were this good then, too - I forget some of those paintings you've done that really were so powerful - this is one of them. I am not crazy about racing but the colors in this and the rhythm of those repeating colors really gets your motor running!!
I was never any good at watercolor. Those wispy strokes of wash that set the scene apart from anything done in oils or acrylics. It seemed like fun to me but it was never any use. LOL
I enjoyed looking at what you do and your post today, "Team Work," was, I thought, a photo. Then after reading your post and looking again I realized I was fooled.
Wow, this is photorealistic, yet retains the charm of a painting. I love that when I see it in a painting! I liked, also, hearing your process.
Like Dawn, I also appreciate your comments re your thoughts about your paintings and how you develop them.
I would love to be able to attend one of your workshops...alas too far to travel...
Thanks for all the comments everyone. To see the full sized painting up close, you would see how many blobs of paint there area where there are heads and trousers and tires. It's actually very photo urealistic up closee.
Sandy, I could always fly to Australia to see you all. I'd love to do a workshop there if one could be set up....hint, hint.
Talk about making something special out of something you wouldn't expect! And I love all the work you did in Carol's workshop. You're the best Sandy!
Ah Sandy! What a wonderful thought. I fear it is a little difficult for me to be doing anything like organizing workshops right now. BUT I will keep your suggestion in mind and do some networking...who knows what could develop!
You have captured the excitement and challenge of the task before them. You can almost smell the fumes, grease and sweat as they work. Love your paintings.
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