Sunday, January 17, 2010

Illustration Friday - Wilderness


Well this piece is quite different from what I normally do. But the prompt led me in quite a different direction. I have learnt alot from this painting. I really LOVE painting people's faces especially ladies but I do need to work more on my background, it was really hard not to add a person to this painting but I felt that it didn't really need one. I used water colour paints on oil paint paper, with acrylic on top and ink tense pencils. I must admit I really wanted to outline things in pen but I stopped myself as I think it would have spoilt it.

I know I could do so much better but it's my first landscape in forever and it was a good exercise for me. I also found it hard using a limited amount of colours but that was also a good exercise too as I love using lots and lots of colours. The waterfall was a challenge too.

I looked up photographs under the name Wilderness and this is one of MANY that popped up but I really liked it, it was a photo of a place called Ramona Falls, Mount Hood Wilderness, Oregon. I recently watched something on the travel channel where a guy went all over America and found all these beautiful places that you don't normally hear about and this was one of them. One day I would LOVE to travel through America and see places like this!

8 comments:

Susan said...

Nicola, this turned out really beautiful, I'm glad you withheld the ink, it fits the mood fine as is. Like you, I've only seen beautiful pictures of those glorious scenes in Oregon and Washington. We live clear across the country in Connecticut, so it'll be awhile before we get there, but it's on our list of places to visit along with Australia! Heck, you may even be closer than us!

Alexandra MacVean said...

This is def something diffrent for you. But girl, I LOVE it! Really. I would love to have that on my desk for daily inspiration. I'm loving watching you blossom as an artist. :) hugs!

Deedra said...

I love this, Nicola! It's so serene!! Nice work! I would really love to be there right now...

Jess said...

Fantastic Nicola! It's so scary to try something different and you've done it so well :) I've yet to tackle this one but I'm looking forward to the challenge!x

Annette Q said...

This is great! What a lovely calming painting, I bet you felt relaxed painting it! I find landscapes very hard, but youve done it beautifully:-)

Shirley said...

Beautiful new stretch for you, Nicola..this turned out so very well! I think you handled it wonderfully. To challenge yourself with backgrounds and palette changes is a good thing, I think..as it definitely leads to questions, and then you find your way through to the answers as you paint..I think we learn so much from these challenges. What a beautiful place this must be in real life..it looks so peaceful in your painting. It's fun to see this from you! : )

Penny said...

Well done for tackling a difficult subject Nic. Love the waterfall with the trees hanging across it. xxx

Kristin said...

Hi Nicola! Just checking in with you and love where you are going! The landscape is great (and a surprise to see!) and I love last week's MMM piece, which I had yet to see. I hope your new shop is going well and that you have a great week, Kristin xo

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