Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Back to Class - Back to Fluid Acrylics

Since I was in a bit of a rut this weekend - down and moody and not fun to be around!! - I couldn't make myself watch Nick's DVD again to figure out what to do with the fluid acrylic painting. So it's good to get back to class and have Sandy lead us - which is what I needed because I didn't know what to do with all those hard edges and they were really bothering me.




Here's the full painting:




But we all decided that it looks better cropped without the big dark umbrella on the right so this is how the finished piece looks...

12 comments:

debwardart said...

Good job! I knew you could do it!

Nick said...

Looks great to me Rhonda, looks like you didn't need to watch it. Can you believe I've never watched the final version? Saving it for a rainy day (when I should be painting umbrellas)

Nava said...

That is a truly great one!! And the composition works really nice in the square format.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks so much, Deb, Nick and Nava! I didn't realize the photo was so blurry - sometimes that happens when my batteries are getting low (will have to check and maybe get a better photo). Nick, you have no idea how I struggled with this technique (with quite a bit of whining, too! haha). Because I did struggle, I don't like this (like babysitting an unruly, mean child everyone says is so beautiful but you can't see it). I may grow to like it, though.

Anonymous said...

I like your finished piece, but have to agree with Ms. Maudlin about the dark umbrella, I like that one too!

Lynne Kasey

Watercolors by Susan Roper said...

Rhonda, that's the trouble with arteests....they struggle during the pregnancy and then can't love the baby when it is born! Sad, but true. You just have to consider that you did struggle, but take pride in the achievment of overcoming the struggles and think of this not just as a good save, but a great painting that can stand on its own. Those deck reflections are just right and those colorful umbrellas add so much. I just love this ref photo you all used. Out of the mundane and ordinary comes extraordinary!

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

Rhonda, this turned out great. You should be very proud of this one. Lovely colors.

carol said...

Excellent work Rhonda. Looking forward to seeing the "nuts" progress. Must find out more about this batik watercolour process.

Carol (in UK)

PS Perhaps you had post natal depression at the weekend....

carol said...

Umbrellas look great. Looking forward to seeing the "Nuts" again. Must find out more about batik watercolours. Not sure I know what it means. I am addicted to your blog and have to look in every day now.

Carol (in UK)

StilinStudio said...

Well, of all people, I can TOTALLY relate to what you say about not liking a painting you've struggled with (you know all the secrets). But to the outside viewers (who know nothing about the painting's 'painful birth'), it's a wonderful piece of art!! I'd be very proud if I had done this. It's awesome, and I do like it cropped best.

Dawn said...

ok Rhonda, put me in the "it turned out great" column! you did good!!

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks so much to everyone who commented. I especially love getting new readers and commenters :) I don't know why I can't get a decent photo of this - it still looks a bit blurry to me and I swear the painting really isn't blurry - maybe I need new glasses again!