I don’t often paint people, portraits or room interiors, so when my hubby suggested I paint a canvas of our very recent wedding ceremony I was a bit taken aback. I needed a challenge though, so off I went to find a canvas in a size and shape I thought would work for the wedding art painting in my mind.
The first layer on the canvas is a neutral darker shade- a medium brown here, to sketch in the lights and darks of the composition.
Deeper shadows and the gradation of light coming in the windows help to flesh out the dimension.
Wall colors and the sunlight coming in the windows are layered over the brown ground to bring in an ethereal glow.
Shadows on the upper walls and the colors of the stained glass are glazed over the other colors, and the shapes that will be my husband and I listening to our officiant intently are painted in at this stage as the background takes shape.
Pews, railings, lecterns, altar and the shapes of our guests give more depth to the wedding art work.
Colors and details are gradually added in until I am happy with the work.
Off to find a frame for it later today and get it hung on the wall.
Ellen – what a picture you painted – beautiful! I was very interested in how you went from a blank canvas to your final rendering – an amazing transformation.
Emma
Thanks, Emma! I enjoy doing the step by step posts- it reminds me too of the transformation of the work.
Oh my gosh!!! How you got from the first to the last is amazing!!! I’m so glad Al gave you the challenge and you accepted. The details in the painting are WONDERFUL!
Congratulations, Jan
Thanks Jan!
Ellen, when I first saw this, I thought it was a picture. It wasn’t until last night when I saw it again that I realized it was painted. Ellen, your talent knows no bounds! I am so lucky to be able to see all the things you are capable of doing. Thank you for being my friend and sharing your talent the way you do. (Even to the point of allowing me to help you paint the backdrop for a musical production at church! lol)
Awwww, thanks, Laurie! I’m so glad to have you for a friend too! It was fun painting backdrops for musicals wasn’t it? I believe we are all born artists, the trick is to hold onto the artist in ourselves beyond childhood. I am lucky enough to have done that.