Little children peddling bikes into the morning sunlight through the narrow passages in Venice made me wonder where they were going. The backpacks they wore meant they must be headed to school somewhere. And the scene meant it must be painted, too, when I got home.A month ago this was attempted in a workshop with Alvaro Castegnet, and now it's redone with more time taken for composition and value changes. The first post here is the final painting.
The second photo shows how the painting looked as I demo-ed it in one of the Wednesday classes. They insisted I stop at that point, that it was completed, but when they left, they all knew I would have to add more to it before I called it completed. 
The original first draft is the really dark painting that's shown next, which was hurriedly done in the workshop and posted last month, too. I do love the warmth of the street in this one, though.
The last photo, my photo reference for this painting, was taken during those four glorious days in Venice. Lots has been left out and lots has been added. It was only a reference, an inspiration from that moment last year in Venice. In fact, in class, now I so often quote Alvaro's wise advice, "Don't let what you're looking at dictate what you paint." "VENICE IS FOR KIDS - LIKE ME" Transparent Watercolor on 140#CP Arches 15 x 22"
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6 comments:
Sandy, this is certainly not dictation! Your painting is so much more than the reference: you have opened up the background and filled it with gorgeous light and of those beautiful Venetian domes.
Last month, I liked your workshop version, but this new one is superb! I love how you simply suggest some building shapes or figures.
This is not dictation, this is art, this is you!
This is so fresh! You did it just wonderful this time. I love the wash in the background and it is not over worked. I bet it only took you 45 minutes We did have fun. I pick up my car today. linda
Sandy...I do like ALL the versions. But frankly if I had to vote, I'd vote for the first rich one that you did in the class..the darker one. It is so much more intense and fascinating and different. I love that you show us different versions and tell us about what you are thinking. Thanks for that.
I, too, love the opened up version and the light you have put in. I proves to me the value of painting a scene that you love more than once. I wondered about the bicycles that I saw in Venice, there were so many stairs on the bridges over the canals, I thought riding a bike there was crazy.
Adore this work - the light, the feeling, the composition, the colours - I could go on and on.
Sandy, I would like to pass on to you the Kreative Blogger Award. I thank you for all your support and for the inspiration that you give some many of us.
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