Lady Liberty

Update: This is the third week into this painting, Lady Liberty. Each section is a painting in itself. I get lost in the abstract shapes of the glass patterns, statue, and fabric, connecting the patterns and shapes with each other to paint the whole design as a cohesive unit. Periodically, I step back and place a white mat around it to view the value patterns. Still a ways to go with it — I like the way it’s shaping up.

This week I am continuing work on the Lady Liberty watercolor (22″ x 30″) started last week. It is mostly careful observation of shapes and details using my photo reference from my still life set up in the gazebo. The initial drawing is very general to start with, and as I paint I re-draw the structure, mapping it out as I go. I’m still working on the easel and wet the paper with water first where I’ll add the pigments. In other areas I paint on dry paper, where I want a clean, sharp edge.

I’ve added cobalt blue, quinacridone red, gold, sienna and burnt orange to the original palette of manganese blue, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, viridian, dioxazine purple, and indanthrone blue. So far I’m please with the progress and can’t wait to finish!