Tuesday, July 31, 2012

STONE


I found this stone along a rocky shore in Maine a few years ago and became fascinated with the whorl patterning and texture. I collected a few others when I was there (as I do when I go to other places around the world) and completed some paintings of them too. Although this one looks to be a very simple study, I wish that it had been as easy to paint! Done life size in watercolor on smooth Arches paper, I had to go slowly layering many thin washes to build up the desired tones. Actually the shadow was the most difficult part of the painting! I would like to do more like this but am a bit leery of the thought of copying Alan Magee who has done a wonderful series of such paintings both in watercolor and acrylic. Size is about 7.5" X 11".

2 comments:

John Holmes said...

It certainly looks like a challenge... sadly I can't really get a feeling for the original on my monitor...

P.S. I'm a closet pebble collector, too

Jeremy Pearse said...

John, I's still trying to get good results photographing my watercolor paintings. I have heard that they are amongst the most difficult to accurately photograph so am still experimenting. I am getting closer though so maybe one day..... Can't do anything about this one though as it is in a private collection. Regarding our pebble collection, not looking forward to the day when we have to move to a new house, what with all the stones, bones, animal skulls, interesting pieces of wood etc etc - mostly props for my paintings, although some have become art in their own right.