Friday, March 13, 2015

What is Best For Nigel

What is Best for Nigel
oil on cradled board
20 x 16 inch
(sold)

Nearly one month later, Nigel is finally complete!  As I look at the image on the computer though, I see areas that need tweaking.  One place would be the legs of the bed.  I shortened them so that they do not touch the carpet, but it needs another layer or two of paint.  I may add more to the books too...and the wallpaper...and the carpet...and, and, and.  If you are an artist, you know how that goes.

Overall I am thrilled with the outcome of the light in this piece, which was my goal.  I looked at some paintings with light (thank you Gary Everest), read Richard Schmid's chapter on light in Alla Prima and I had some help from my art instructor, Brian Hinkle, during class.  This was such a challenge for me, and I want to try it again and again with different color palettes.

The title was a bit tricky too since this was inspired by a song.  After lots of discussion and consideration, What is Best for Nigel seemed a good fit without crossing copyright lines.

Below are some detail photos of the painting.

detail

detail

detail

Me 

Our youngest son and his wife are visiting this week while on spring break, so my sweet daughter in-law was around to take this picture yesterday.  It has been so great to have them here.

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend!

♥ Lisa
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47 comments:

  1. UnknownMarch 13, 2015 at 10:49 AM

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  2. UnknownMarch 13, 2015 at 10:50 AM

    It's a beautiful painting held by the beautiful artist! Lisa it's fantastic! So expressive, and the light is truly perfect! None of the areas you mentioned stood out to me as weak areas at all! What was the song that inspired it?

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 8:44 AM

      Hi Katherine. It was the Nouvelle Vague version of Making Plans for Nigel. I just love it. The original version was by a British rock band called XTC. Thank you for your nice comment. The areas aren't bothering me anymore I am happy to say. :)

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  3. Carol RigbyMarch 13, 2015 at 1:12 PM

    All your hard work has definitely paid off Lisa. You have captured the light to a tee. Especially on the couple. I am intrigued to know Nigel's story.

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 8:46 AM

      Thank you Fuzzie Fingers. I think many interpretations of Nigel's story could be made here, so you get to decide. :)

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  4. Terri CoronaMarch 13, 2015 at 1:22 PM

    You should be so proud Lisa! It's really beautiful, I can just feel the light, and I've so enjoyed seeing your progress.

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 8:47 AM

      Thank you Terri. I am happy you enjoyed watching it progress. I will share more in the future too.

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  5. lynne hMarch 13, 2015 at 1:50 PM

    ah lisa, this is wonderful... i love everything about it and am so impressed by the light...

    have a beautiful weekend too!

    xoxo

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 8:48 AM

      Thank you my friend. Hope your weekend was full of nature and art. xo

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  6. AnonymousMarch 13, 2015 at 2:12 PM

    Yes!! I do love this!!! Very, very cool!

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 8:48 AM

      Thank you David. You are still on a roll with your photography.

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  7. DonnaMarch 13, 2015 at 2:13 PM

    What a beautiful piece Lisa! You captured to ambiance of the light perfectly! Love it:)

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 8:49 AM

      Thank you Donna. You are so good at capturing ambiance in your paintings, so it means a lot to me you would say that.

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  8. JanetMarch 13, 2015 at 2:56 PM

    It's so beautiful...and shows loving parents watching over their son. Love it!!

    You look too young to have a daughter-in-law!! We don't get to see photos of you so it's nice to see you with your art.

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 8:50 AM

      Thank you Janet. I do? Even with all that gray hair? :)

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  9. hmuxoMarch 13, 2015 at 9:23 PM

    I really love this painting Lisa. The light above the two people is wonderful.... perfect scene!! perfect colors!!

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  10. Paper rainbowMarch 14, 2015 at 2:53 AM

    This is a stunning work. The first thing that struck me was the play of light on the canvas. So tricky to portray the yellow tones if electric light. I live all the little details too. Finally what a lovely photo of you. Strangely you look exactly as I imagined! you have every right to be proud of this great piece if storytelling.

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 8:59 AM

      Thank you Morag. You are so kind. As soon as I started adding yellows to the light areas as my instructor suggested, it really did seem to take off. I studied Norman Rockwell's painting "Law Student" also. I saw the original painting a few years ago here in Wichita and the glow of the light above the student and the glow on his face, hand and book really left an impression on me. It looked so real. The online images just don't show the light that is actually there, but I could see that there was a lot of yellow there. So with that painting in mind, it helped to just "stay yellow" as I painted and glazed.

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  11. Paper rainbowMarch 14, 2015 at 2:55 AM

    Of story telling!!! I need new glasses!

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  12. JaneMarch 14, 2015 at 3:47 AM

    A wonderful piece Lisa, the light is really striking and the scene is fabulous , so unique !

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  13. Gary L. EverestMarch 14, 2015 at 5:07 AM

    Hi Lisa,
    We've been moving, so I haven't visited my favorite blogs for a few days. Great work on the light in the hallway and thanks so much for the credit. Happy to have helped in even a small way. You did the hard part and I salute you for it. Thanks to your daughter-in-law for taking the great photo!
    Enjoy the family visit and the weekend.
    Sincerely,
    Gary.

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 9:03 AM

      Moving? Not away from Hawaii I hope. I need to get over to your blog to investigate.

      Thank you for your kind words and always supportive advice and feedback, Gary!

      PS: Love your new profile pic! What an incredible self portrait you painted!

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  14. Autumn LeavesMarch 14, 2015 at 5:27 AM

    I think this is one of my favorites! I think it brings a sense of security to me, which is greatly needed. You are so pretty, by the way!

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 9:04 AM

      I am so happy it brings good feelings to you CrimsonLeaves. Thank you so much for your words.

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  15. CAROL HOPPER -- A PAINTER'S JOURNALMarch 14, 2015 at 7:57 AM

    Crimson Leaves said everything I feel and see. It is my prayer to have angels by my side knowing and helping me when I am ill or even dying for that matter. Actually I know this to be true. Your title is very good! as it supports the story and makes viewers stop for a more in-depth look.

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  16. Judy ShreveMarch 14, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    This turned out perfectly! You did capture the light! YAY -- and I love seeing your smiling face holding it. Happy weekend and enjoy your company!

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 9:06 AM

      Hi Judy and thanks. I don't know if the smile was because I had finally finished the piece or because our kids were in town. I know you get that. :) xo

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  17. UnknownMarch 14, 2015 at 9:42 AM

    Lovely, lovely painting. So much to look at and enjoy. Rich textures. Great posting.

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 9:06 AM

      Thank you Helen. I am happy you noticed the textures. Sometimes it's not very obvious on a computer screen.

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  18. renildeMarch 14, 2015 at 11:28 AM

    wonderful! Lisa, i love Nigel's sleeping face, the light effect, the blue of the walls, yes much to see, it feels as if i can actually enter that room, great atmosphere, very narrative too, a joy to look at, x

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  19. UnknownMarch 14, 2015 at 4:27 PM

    I LOVE the way your painting turned out. The light is wonderful.. So glad you are enjoying your time with your Son and DIL and what a wonderful photo of you..

    Hugs, Linda
    My Happy Place

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  20. Carole ReidMarch 14, 2015 at 4:30 PM

    Cute picture, Lisa. Your light areas are brilliant.... as in Nigel's face. In today's light are you still thinking about the wallpaper and bedposts? Happy visiting!

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 9:10 AM

      Thank you Carole! No, I think I will leave it alone. As much joy as this painting brought to paint, I DO feel done with it. Am I being rude towards my painting? :)

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  21. BeccaMarch 14, 2015 at 5:21 PM

    I love this painting Lisa! The light is wonderful! Ooo and I also love that song. :-)

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 9:10 AM

      Thanks Becca. Isn't that a great song? You should check out the original version by XTC...quite a different sound.

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  22. AnonymousMarch 14, 2015 at 5:56 PM

    Beautiful job on the light AND the whole picture. I was just talking about you and your art with Bonnie Pewterbaugh this morning. We both think your work is awesome! ~Paulette M.

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 9:11 AM

      Hi Paulette! Thank you so much for stopping by to comment. So kind of you to take the time. Tell Bonnie hello.

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  23. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comMarch 15, 2015 at 10:58 AM

    I appreciate seeing all the steps you have gone through with this one, Lisa.I travelled back to the first posting of it and enjoyed going back and forth seeing the development emerge - the finessing!it
    It obviously means something special to you if you are going to do what sounds like a series when you say, "try again and again," - I CAN'T WAIT!

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 9:15 AM

      Thank you my friend. Your feedback is always so awesome. I wouldn't say there is going to be a series per se, but there will definitely be more of an attempt to add light and shadow to my pieces, especially the room paintings.

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  24. Kim Henkel CreationsMarch 15, 2015 at 12:15 PM

    The light is so beautiful in your painting Lisa, and what gorgeous walls this bedroom has. Besides the light I also love his chair and the books in the book case (doesn't look like any tweaking is needed to me) And oh how nice to have your company, and the photo of you and your painting is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your journey with this painting and this wonderful post.

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    1. Lisa Graham March 16, 2015 at 9:18 AM

      Hi Kim, thank you for all the nice words here. I did decide to leave the bookcase alone. I am leaving the whole painting alone actually. I just need to paint the sides of the board. I hope your part of the world is warming up for you. I know winters get long there.

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  25. Debbie NolanMarch 22, 2015 at 6:32 AM

    Dear Lisa - this is amazing. Just love it and the title is so good too. You certainly captured the light. Your photo is wonderful too. So nice to see your smiling face! Hugs

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