First of all my niece wanted a painting for her hubby who is mad keen on cycling. Well actually he wanted me to paint them in his strip but she had it framed for him, so he didn't see it until Christmas. He is in the lead and my nephew is second. I've put it on my desktop this morning, eeek can see where I could have used more care. But pleased on my blog cos paintings always looks better on tinternet small.
Next up a friend asked me to paint their bungalow for her hubby, as he loves it so much. Well I thought to myself - boring, it's a building, don't like doing buildings - but didn't want to let her down. So again took great care. As with the above I used tracedown first, didn't trust my drawing skills when it's for someone close. This is what I came up with. I put a shadow of them in their kitchen window.
This I fear is bare in the sky, feel I should either have put at least some birds in the sky just to give it life, and a bit more colour (it is a bit washed out on the screen).
Well commissions over, massive PHEW!! Festivities over and back to normal. Painting for myself.
In my next post I would like to show you some Van Gogh paintings from the Museum in Amsterdam, that you might not have seen, including a sketch or two of his. I love those personal items.
Have a wonderful weekend, and keep WARM!!
Muy bonitas las dos y una ejecución magnífica!! Los ciclistas están sensacionales!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Polly. You're already an artist !!!
Thank you Paloma. I am still learning and enjoying learning
DeleteFantastic work Polly. I particularly like the first one - you've really made the lead cyclist stand out against the background. You must be very proud.
ReplyDeleteI think the moment we stop worrying about your work and getting blase is the time to stop! Its the expectation that the 'next one' will be the masterpiece that keeps us going I think. Commission work is stressful so its nice to do some fun things inbetween - and you certainly do that!
sorry that was meant to read .... 'our' work, not 'your' work. Got dyslexic fingers today I think
DeleteFunny, I didn't notice your mistake!!! Beginning to think the cyclists painting isn't too bad, from the comments! Though I do love a challenge! Couldn't stand the strain of doing proper commissions. I do admire you for taking them on. Sorry to hear about your fingers ...........
DeleteDear Polly, stressed or not, you have painted two works on commission, both very well done.
ReplyDeleteCyclists, for composition and execution are a true masterpiece.Congratulations to the watercolourist ....and to lucky recipients of the gift!
Thank you Dear Rita. Composition was done by Matt who took the photograph,I was going to change the composition, but thought it was really good. Have a lovely weekend xx
DeleteI have a surprise for you on my blog!!!
Deletei'm sure you will get more and more requests polly ... sure they were delighted with your paintings .... both complex subjects to paint, look forward to seeing your photos of van gogh museum .
ReplyDeleteJane, thank you for your confidence in me, but I don't want to do commissions just paint for myself. I have to resize the Van Gogh photographs but they will be on soon.
DeleteThey both turned out great, Polly!
ReplyDeleteThank you Judy. Have alovely weekend
DeleteBoth beautiful Polly but cyclists extra special. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura. Glad you like the cyclists. xx
DeleteTwo super commissions Polly and if they caused you grief, it doesn't show!! Agree fully with Sue, it is the carrot of the next one which keeps us keeping on always chasing that oh so elusive "one!!"
ReplyDeleteThanks Judith. Be bored if I mastered painting, and you are right, the next one might be better. Nice weekend xx
DeleteBoth of them brilliant Polly, especially the cyclists - reminds me of my cycling mad brother! The bungalow is also beautifully painted. I get completely stressed out with commissions too and take so much care over them whereas I'll be a lot more slapdash when it's just for myself because it doesn't matter if it doesnt' turn out. I'll bet it was worth all the stressing though - the owners must have been thrilled with these and it's a wonderful gift to be able to make people happy through painting a subject which is special to them which you have here! Well done you, they're both fabulous :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sharon. I remember your painting of your brother! I was more relieved than pleased that the paintings went down well. You are right about bringing pleasure through my art, gives me a buzz to hear peoples comments, feel they weren't too bad.
DeleteYou did a great job on both commissions! I am sure they will love them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I believe they did like them.
DeleteIf you were stressed then it worked a treat Polly, two great commissions
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorraine. Was sooo tense painting them, but glad you think it worked.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the one of the bungalow before (Facebook maybe?) Love the one of the cyclists. I have a hard time doing one bike and you did four so well...and at odd perspectives. Well done! I think you met the challenge of the commissions well! I've only done a few and they are stressful...do you do a realistic copy of the "real thing" or use a bit of artistic license to make it work better...such a dilemma!
ReplyDeleteJoan, you saw it on facebook! Because they were for 'special' people I used tracedown, as I wanted to do the very best I could. The cyclists I didn't change the composition as I thought it was perfect, but the bungalow was taken on a dull day in winter, so I tried to make it look summery and had to guess at shadows. Painted a bit and then went away for a while so I didn't rush them. Can't believe how nervous I was until I knew they liked them. Then it was a big sigh of relief.
DeleteI think you did amazing Polly, these to paintings are really beautiful ! I think the one with the bikers must have been quite difficult too, but the result is superb ! Wish you a nice and relaxing sunday .
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane, have a lovely Sunday too.
DeleteBeautiful watercolors!! Love it! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Mari - Happy Sunday
DeleteHi Polly,
ReplyDeleteJust now found your blog… you REALLY should include a link on your blogger profile. Anyway, I have added a link to your blog on mine so that I can easily find you from now on. Happy New Year my friend.
Hi. Nice to meet you. Didn't know you could include a link of my blogger profile, must look into that. And thank you for adding me. Happy 2014 and look forward to seeing more of your work.
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