Previous posts describe my walking the Cumbria Coastal Path in sections. The next stretch is probably the most scenic and I want to have decent weather - I am not inclined to compromise with the current sombre, grey, overcast, drizzly, depressing stuff, so I have turned my energies to activity more creative and domiciliary.
"Painting" using Photoshop has been an intermittent pastime (well, Hockney does something similar with his iPad - he was a contemporary, albeit a year ahead of me at Bradford Grammar School).
This photo under a canal bridge was taken on a Thursday walk with Pete because the rich and varied colours and texture took my fancy.
I open the photo in Photoshop, then put a blank white layer on top. I reduce the opacity until the photo is just visible below so I can sketch in the main outlines. I then bring back the full white background and continue to paint without further use of the photo, except for looking at a copy for reference.
Here I show two stages of work-in-progress. I am not striving for an exact reproduction of the photo, or the exact colours. I would like to achieve something more loose, free, and artistic, but I don't seem to have that talent, so this will be a sort of halfway-house. The second WIP is nowhere near finished so please don't judge on it - I have just shown it to demonstrate how these creations are tackled.
Hopefully I will in due course up-date with progress or the finished item, unless my temporary wild Gulley Jimson temperament departs me.
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| The lines on the outer left-hand side of the bridge and the straight water's edge lines remain (at the moment) from the sketch lines from the partly visible photo before bringing back the white background |
Let's hope the good weather is not too far away. Sorry couldn't help myself.
ReplyDeleteAlan R - That gave me a laugh - presumably a subtle crit of my artistic shortcomings.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't do any better Conrad. It's just my warped sense of humour. I am certainly no critic.
ReplyDeleteI recall you doing a fair bit of this art early in your blogging career Conrad. I on the other hand wouldn't attempt it - though it would give Alan and others a good laugh.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I ever remember the art teacher saying to me was "What's it meant to be?".
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, he had a point.
I'm glad I'm not the only one waiting for better weather. Dying to get back to Cumbria and the coast again - but hoping for some sunshine, or at least less mist!
ReplyDeleteArt is a wonderful and relaxing thing to do. Good luck with your endeavours.
Alan R - All is forgiven.
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afoot - another ambiguous comment? Are you implying my efforts, or yours, would provide the laughs? Anyway, if it's mine I am gratified that my efforts have not been in vain if having failed on the esoteric level they have managed to brighten somebody's day with humour.
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Dave - Yet another ambiguity - Are you ascribing your art master's query to your erstwhile efforts or mine?
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coastal walker -Hi Ruth, from the above comments I think luck is my only hope. I'm looking forward to your "onward journey" as they say in the air. You will soon be out of Cumbria.
Sir Hugh - I am definitely referring to my efforts providing the laughs.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely mine, Conrad.
ReplyDeletewell, it's a bright day today so we expect stirring tales of the industrial archeology and past/present might of Barrow !
ReplyDeleteGimmer - it was done. Post may have to wait until Monday. Took so many photos it might be a slideshow in Dropbox.
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