Hopewell Cape Rocks 2 ("Sentinel")

Here is a look at my newest painting. "Sentinel" measures 30" x 40", making it the largest painting I have worked on so far.
It has been very interesting to work large. I keep mixing more paint! This is about 3 hours in.
I will be painting most of this over again in the second layer, as I start to add more rock colour and define the edges better.
The palette is my standard one: Artisan Titanium white, Cad Yellow Hue, Cad Red Hue, French Ultramarine and Burnt Umber.

Rocks give me fits so I'm very impressed with your rock paintings. This one in particular almost breathes.

Thanks Jan! The subject is certainly on the rugged side. The second layer should be fun and much more distinct.

This is awesome Alan... Very, Very nice. As always, it looks complete even at this stage, This is a mark of a good artist

Thanks Faisal. I am getting stronger when painting this large image: more paint, bigger brush, larger arm movements. Perfect for January fitness goals! But seriously, I now like to at least block in the image, then basically repaint parts of it. A result of watching the October workshop teacher. It helps me see the whole scene at least in blocked in area and value.

That is a good way to start, gets rid of all the white space and gives you base to leap from. I need to start doing landscapes as well. It is too cold and wet these days, so will wait for a little warmer weather.

Back at it with Sentinel today. I worked on the 'rock face' highlights and light mid tones. These photos are a little dark but give an idea of what was done. About 1.5 hours in this session.

It's really interesting to work big. The strokes are larger and there is a tendency to do a lot of little srubby strokes, but I am trying to keep to big brushes.
I have included a closeup to show how the modelling is coming along. Still lots to do, session by session.

Amazing Alan... love the progress you have made...

It looks like you are making good progress. Working on large canvases have their own challenges, especially for someone like me who isn't very tall.

I've been known to turn the paining on its side or upside down to reach areas. Doing that also gives you a different perspective on the subject which has its own advantages especially if you are having trouble getting something to look like you want.

I did that one time painting clouds at sunrise. My mind just would not accept that the highlights should be on the bottom of clouds. I struggles and repainted for two days before I turned it upside down and painted it in 5 minutes.

Judy

So here is the newest in progress photo of Sentinel. Reposted here to help me keep track of my own progress, ha ha.

There is a big snowstorm coming where I live this weekend. Maybe that will lock me in for part of the weekend, with nothing better to do than paint. Here's hoping, and in the meantime, for continuity, here is "Sentinel"

Beautiful!! Hope you don't get too much snow. Stay warm.

Judy

Okay, back to the Sentinel today for a couple of hours.
Here are two views, first one is the whole canvas, the second is a detail from that same photo.
Today I repainted the sky, darkened some of the 'chin' and sharpened a few edges and so on.
Next session I will add the trees to the upper left. Should be interesting.

Lest I ruin it with too many words... I shall use only one:

Perfection!..

It's looking good!

You can feel the texture of the stone. "Perfection" as Faisal said.
Judy

Hi
Thank you all for your kind comments.

Yes, this is really great!