Update - Ogden LDS Temple Painting Process

Happily, my client was pleased with the rough colored pencil sketch posted in my last blog entry.  The next step was to coat the canvas with an undertone similar in hue to the Canson Mi-Teintes paper the sketch was on.  The canvas was coated with gesso tinted with burnt sienna and yellow ochre acrylic paint.

I then printed the outlined sketch on three 11" x 17" sheets, taped them together and attached them to the canvas.  Even though I did drawing corrections on the computer, by the time the image was blown up and taped together, there were distortions that needed additional revision with the large T square.  Next step was tracing the temple down with graphite paper and sealing each fine line with clear gesso, so I don't lose the drawing.  I normally do not need to be this accurate, but in painting a building this ornate on such a large canvas, (36" x 24") there is little margin for error.

Below is the beginning of blocking in with a light coating of acrylics. 

Although this is a meticulous process, I am finding it enjoyable.  Each painting is a challenge and a puzzle to be solved. I am happy I did solve many questions in my colored pencil sketch.  However, often along the way, in the process of applying paint, the painting sometimes can surprise me and tell me what it really needs.  ;)

Thank you for stopping by.

Patricia

Ogden LDS Temple Composition Sketch Completed

The completed sketch is ready for client approval -  He requested embellished trees, an autumn color palette and purple pansies - which are blooming profusely around the grounds right now!

Next step is to transfer the layout to the canvas, upon the client approval.

Hope you are having a wonderful week - It is sunny and bright here today in Utah!

Fine Art or Illustration?

My formal art education was in advertising art.  All mediums were taught; watercolor, pastel, charcoal, pen and ink, oil, gouache, acrylic and mixed mediums. I loved most of them.  It has always been a dilemma for me to land on one preferred medium or style as we were taught to please the client.  I am uncertain whether some of my art would be considered fine art or illustration?  It does seem to me that leaning toward illustrative art is more fun!  Who cares?  I love a quote by Andy Warhol,

"Don't think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it's good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art."  

This week's Illustration Friday prompt is "Umbrella."  I have always loved umbrellas!  My favorite, covered with a Monet style painting, was purchased in an umbrella shop.  I loved that umbrella - but forgot it one rainy evening, after giving a demo to an art club in a nearby by town.  I did go back later to retrieve it, but it was gone.

I did this painting some time ago and is sold.  I will let you decide if it's good or bad, if you love it or hate it.  In the meantime I am making more art. (Of course I do hope you like it.) Prints are available at my Etsy Shop

"Autumn Rain ~ Yellow Umbrella"

A Story Behind a Painting

Many years ago when we resided in the Puget Sound area of Washington state, I took some young students for a plein air painting outing in an area they had requested.  They lived close by and were intrigued by and desired to paint a signal light at Brown's Point at the edge of the shoreline.  They called it a lighthouse.  However, it was not an actual lighthouse as I expected, but signal light mounted on a stand for sea-going vessels.  We sketched and painted a few hours until late afternoon.

When we turned to leave, I was astonished to see the most amazing scene behind us!  It was a stunning view of a collection of eclectic homes perched on a steep hill on the edge of the shore.  The warm late afternoon sun cast wonderful light and shadows.  The tide was out, exposing the shoreline.

I have sketched and painted this scene repeatedly both when the tide was in as well as out - using multiple mediums from soft pastels, pen & ink, watercolor and most recently oil.

"Brown's Point ~ Tide Is Out"

Patricia Lee Christensen

Oil on Wood Panel 12" x 9"

"Brown's Point"

Ink on Paper

Patricia Lee Christensen

Pastel in progress using pen & ink sketch as reference.

"Brown's Point Sunset"

Patricia Lee Christensen

Pastel on Ampersand Pastel Board

10" x 8"

"Brown's Point - Tide Is In"

Watercolor, Pen & Ink plus Gesso

Patricia Lee Christensen

I think the moral to this tale is to take a 360 degrees look around your surroundings!  You never know what you are missing!

I hope you see the amazing views around you today!
Patricia