Work on the shoe begins

After cleaning the bugs off, there were areas that needed to be repaired with some bonda. Nasty stuff! The primer applied by the manufacturer was dicey so major sanding was required.

Finally I was able to sketch out the first couple of levels. Pynchon's founding in 1636 was the starting point.

Each layer wraps around the shoe - 1600's 1700's 1800's 1900's and present day at the top.

I'M BACK !

It has been a long time - but I have a very exciting project to kick off with!

My really BIG shoe!

Yes that's right a shoe - for those of you who have not seen it in the papers, or those who are not local, Springfield is having artists design 20 sneakers to display around the city - The designs will answer the question "What makes Springfield great?"

My proposal, which was accepted, is "Step into Springfield's History"

Here are shots of me washing the bugs off the shoe - it came on a flat bed truck from Nebraska!(a couple of weeks late!) I will post more shots of the work so come back and see!

ALL FINISHED

So here it is, titled "Creation" and signed. I have been meaning to up date all summer, but have been busy. There are other paintings to post, but they will have to wait. If you are new to the blog this is a painting that I have covered step by step so you might want to scroll down and view it from it's conception. It's been fun - hope everyone enjoys it.

it's all in the details

Light reflecting off the hand holding the 'painting' even some reflections on the staples and texture on the painted 'canvas edge' are added. Then the fence posts addressed, by begining to define them with shadows on the edges of the posts. rocks and other sand detail is painted in.
The potters hands are detailed and more texture is given to the surrounding sand. Each tine a layer of paint is added the depth is built up with the combination of tone and tint.
Now for the lighthouse and the hand holding it. While I wanted the hans doing the creating to look more ghostly, when comparing them to the one holding the painting, I wanted to add some warmth. The house itself needed to be defined by adding shadow under roof and porch. The tower gets darker edges blended in to create a round look.

adding details

The rest of the painting is done! I know it took longer than thought, but I have been crazy busy and not feeling my best. So with out more excuses - These may look the same but now it's all in the details. The top shows some color added to the hands added depth by putting down some darker shadows. More details in the water and sand and overall touches of tone to create shadow.
In the bottom I detailed the boats, paintbrush and the lighthouse before placing highlights on the hands. I know what your thinking, I shadowed them only to lighten them up? - well, yes. This is what creates depth and interest.