TWO OF A KIND

I joined a Web community called Wet Canvas where, among other things, members post photographs that are free to all members to use as reference photos. I found a photo of two antique cars (then uploaded a picture I had taken to keep with the spirit of not taking more than you give). I really liked the reflections on the cars especially the car on the left. The leather trunk mounted on the back makes for an interesting composition.

I toyed with the idea of adding some background images and making the ground to the right of the blue car more interesting, but later thought that the focus should really be on the cars. My favorite part is the reflection of the back window on the back of the car.

FLORENCE OREGON BRIDGE

I took the photo for this painting when we went to the coast three weeks ago. The bridge carries Highway 101 traffic from the north side to the south side of the Siuslaw River. The water isn't normally this choppy, but I thought it made a better picture. I also left out the tree at the right and moved the rocks around along the river bank.

The photo, below, was pretty drab as the day was overcast and it was beginning to rain. I'm guessing that the pilings in the water are a left over from the old bridge. The buildings on the bridge give interest as well as the green part of the bridge at the far right.

FALL DOLLS

I think I got whiplash going from metal, chrome and engines to Raggedy Ann dolls and crocheted lace! This is from a picture we took when visiting Old Town Florence, Oregon, two weeks ago. The window was in a small store along the waterfront.

As usual, there are things I like and don't like in this painting. I think the crocheted curtain looks realistic, but I'm not that satisfied with the overall composition. I think, if I did it over again, I'd not space the dolls out so evenly and not placed the bale of hay between them (yes, that's supposed to be a bale of hay). In the photograph there is a window box with pink geraniums in it. It didn't match the fall colors of the rest of the composition so I left the whole box out. I also wanted to show more of the shingled siding.

I wish I would have paid more attention to any reflection in the window. There doesn't appear to be any reflection off the glass in the window and I thought about it after I'd spend 2 hours doing the lace and didn't want to mess it up by trying lighten parts of it to make a reflection. I'll remember the reflection next time.

BLUE HOTROD

This painting is from another photo I took at the Eugene Celebration in September. The challenge was to get allo the shades of blue that are in the car. There is a lot of light reflecting off the car include two large sun spots. The back fendor is also reflected in the side of the car.

There is a lot of chrome on this car and I struggled at first working on the radiator and wheel chrome. I think I like the radiator but not the front wheel which looks over-done.

I made up the reflection in the windshield because what was there did not look clear or realistic.