I just finished this multi-figured golden beach scene which was designed initially as a 'companion' painting for a client who originally commissioned me to create a fairground "Golden Days" painting for their first child's nursery in Washington. See below. That was not a fast painting.
This painting, "Endless Summer" 30x24", was done mostly from my imagination with the theme of childhood in my head. I live near the ocean so it is close to my heart. I have long been a fan of Edward Potthast's charming paintings of happy summer beach scenes so there is also a heavy nod to him in this painting too. Thank you Mr. Potthast.
My color harmony was limited to different hues of blue and orange to match the carousel painting. At times I got blocked, wondering if it is was going to work, but because I knew I had a strong start, I kept telling my imagination to just proceed. The start took me five days to work out the S curve composition and how all the figures would be arranged in spade. The gold lay-in wash created sunshine without really having to try too hard later.
My application was mostly via palette knife apart from the washes which are impossible to do with a knife.
Can't wait to start another one!
Would love to hear your thoughts.
For more of my figurative work please go to my main website:
www.johannaspinks.com
Available paintings are here:
http://www.johannaspinks.com/#!figurative/c21w9
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| Endless Summer By Johanna Spinks 24x30" via palette knife www.johannaspinks.com |
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| The start...this part of the painting took me a long time to work out. S curve composition of umbrellas . |
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| A good start? Maybe I have a painting that will work. |
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| Slowly moving outward toward all the umbrellas and the figures near them or underneath. |
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| Almost there. The final water and sky were painted in a single fast session as with the pier and beach huts. |
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| "Golden Days" by Johanna Spinks 24x30" |
