Painting an Escape

In my Painting class we have recently begun working on our first big painting project!  We are taking one picture and painting it three separate times.  In each piece we will focus on a different method of painting.  It was really important that we pick a reference we would enjoy spending so much time with!  I chose a picture of my family's favorite beach Watch Hill, Rhode Island. 

Our first painting actually looks more like two!  We began painting our reference in only black and white paint.  I used a couple different combinations of brush styles and blending methods. 

I really like the way that the black and white image turned out and almost did not want to move forward to the next step!  For the next part of the assignment we had to paint OVER the black and white image we just completed.  I was really nervous to paint over something I already liked.  What if I messed up?  Eventually, I gathered up my courage and began to paint.

I am so glad that I did!  At first the glaze colors that I used (we mixed acrylic paint with a glaze/gloss medium) were way too bright.  After some mixing and more tiny, tiny brush strokes I was able to get the colors I wanted!  For the next painting we will be working in acrylic watercolors from light into dark.  This is really not the way I work and I'm not sure how it will turn out.  Although, I have learned that sometimes it is good to lose that control.  Painting and art classes really do become my escape through the semester.  It is wonderful to know that no matter how stressed out I am about graduating or finals I can go release that energy in the studio!

Best Wishes & Messy Easels,

Haley

PS: Here is the original photograph!