People Watching

It has to be quick, so less is more. Each line would ideally be simple but quite specific

Strawberry Afternoon

The first time I painted strawberries it went really well. That was a sunny day, however. Now I'm working on another one on an overcast day, and the jury is not out on this one.It amazes me that I can't embellish or fabricate the magic of sunlight. Guded by what is before me, I cannot tell a lie!The important thing is, just keep working.

This 8x8 in acrylic on panel poses some problems, such as low contrast and edge-definition where the cherries pile up. The box colours need adjustment. the depth of shadow values are too light. The background is cold and thin. The gesso and ground disrupt the paint surface too much- maybe I need to sand it down before adding coloured ground. The arrangement is nice though. A friend says to leave it and paint another but I think I'll tweak it.









OK- I like the colours much better. There is some glazing in the back of the box to attempt to warm up a cast shadow and integrate it better with the lighted part.


Still need to adjust the too-uniform right side with some colour and texture. This one might be useful to try a mat varnish, to see how colours and levelling gloss looks.

 I’m still sketching the clouds from the photos I took in Huron county.