Monday, October 19, 2009

Insomnia

I did so enjoy painting this one, but I battled with the photograph.

I picked up on Dean's tip of using black gesso and then just painting with Prussian blue/Cad red and a bit of white mixed in in varying degrees.

Painting the negative shapes was a total challenge and sometimes I had to double back and constantly check where I was going with those tree shadows.

But the title! I finally settled on Insomnia, but am not 100% happy with it. Anyone got any other suggestions?

22 comments:

Unknown said...

Talk about "Wow"! I love how you ventured off and successfully tried something so dramatic and striking! I thought "Insomnia" was a fitting title. Maybe you think it sounds a little negative? A lot of creative people take walks to deal with their insomnia. It's an awesome 'nightscape.'

Autumn Leaves said...

How about "In the Still of the Night?" I love this painting, Liz. It is truly stunningly gorgeous. I see something like this and am just stunned by what you can do with thos magic artist's hands of yours. Just beautiful!

SharonWrightArtist said...

Oh, job well done! I love it, Liz, it grabs attention and then holds it. Prussian blue and cad red, eh? Might try that, nice rich black.

Anonymous said...

Amazing, I just had to click that thumbnail and see it bigger. Really about wow factor.

Anonymous said...

Maybe, a melancholy night or something like that, it looks lonely place.

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

Liz, I am so impressed with this...the feeling it evokes is SO strong! The ONLY suggestion I could come up with is if just a touch of darker darks on the car to the right of the trees/lights...(doesn't matter what they are)...the contrast on the cars could pull the eye up a bit further to the right...but, I had to work hard to come up with THAT suggestion...what do the rest of you think?? BUT, it is most important what YOU think Liz. Just love this!!

Marian Fortunati said...

Liz!!!

This is tooooooo cool!!
I love it! I mean it has so much feeling!
And I thank you (and Dean) for the tip....
I like the name Insomnia... It's good.. I feel the person has been forced outside on a cool wet evening because he/she's just tired of laying there TRYING to nod off.

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

Hi Liz,
This has so much atmosphere, very nice! I'm horrible at naming paintings but how about "Night Shadows".

Unknown said...

Its lovely Liz, such great atmosphere, certainly worked)

Unknown said...

Wow! Very effective. I like your title.

Kathleen Hebert said...

Hi Liz:
I think "Insomnia" says it all!!! Intense and full of feeling!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Sheila, thank you and it was FUN! Love trying new things.


That's a great title Autumn Leaves, but I think Insomnia won in the end. Thanks for your lovely comment, and keep painting!

Art with Liz said...

Hello Sharon - thank you! I picked up the Prussian blue/Cad red tip from the blog! And a wonderful highlight is Art Spectrum Lilac - artist quality, so expensive, but I'm glad I bought it.


Thank you Carolann. I battled with the photo - could not get a crisp image; there is slightly more of a pinky glow in the lights than in this pic. Ah well!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you Saundra - when I get time next week (I'm at the exhibition every day this week), I'll get this out and have a look at what you suggested. Thank you my friend!


Wow Marian, thank you! I think it's going to stay Insomnia - a general consensus. The black gesso is great, isn't it?! I didn't think I'd find any here, but one art shop did have, so success!

Art with Liz said...

Gosh Rhonda, Night Shadows has such a nice ring to it! Thank you. But Insomnia it's going to stay! I'm going to keep that title tucked away for future though.


Thank you Sam for the lovely comment and the visit.

Art with Liz said...

Thank you Kathy for visiting me. Your work with eggs is awesome, so I thank you for commenting on my work!


Hi Kath, thank you - I really appreciate your visit and kind words and I learn from your 'lessons' on your blog.

James Parker said...

Fantastic job, Liz!!! A little late in posting, but "Insomnia" is now posted and linked on WTTW and keeping me awake at night. Thanks so much for your enchanting participation.

Ramesh Jhawar said...

Hi Liz!
Missed seeing your post! A very different work from the usual, with the colors and subject but nonetheless amazing!
Best regards

FitFoodieMegha said...

I was amazed to see this painting. The lighting effect is superb! Insomnia is perfect! Keep posting dear!

Dean H. said...

A beautiful piece, Liz! Love your title...just fits.
Thanks for the mention! Black gesso is one of my favs to use.

Cathy Gatland said...

I'm catching up here Liz - this is such a dramatic, atmospheric painting - really different and really stunning!

carrie jacobson said...

Hi, Liz - This painting is really stunning. It is so moody, so atmospheric. I really love it. The black gesso is a great idea. I think I have some here and am going to try it for sure. Great job, great inspiration!