A client requested a single abstract painting inspired by waves and the ocean. She lived by the coast and loved the calming yet dynamic aspects of the North Norfolk sea. The brief included a few reference pictures as well as an image of the space the painting would be displayed. It is important for me to understand the colour scheme of the room to allow the painting to complement the space. I created a digital sketchbook page with inspiration pictures and my own colour scheme as well as the general composition of the abstract piece. Planning the piece before allows me to not overwork the piece and to roughly follow instructions on how to apply the paint. It also allows the client to see the idea of the painting before it is completed and to place it in the space to see how it works.
Once I had my idea and the client was happy and had decided on size and shape I could begin. I began with a pink base as I aimed to loosely apply the paint in order to expose parts of the base to contrast the colours and allow the viewers eye to dart across the canvas, absorbing all of the colours and brushstrokes. I applied layers of different shades of blues to indicate depth of the water. Once the blues had dried, I applied white accents to mimic the waves. I added white flicks of watery paint to express the movement and dynamism of the crashing waves.
Once the layers of paint were dry, I added flowing lines of blue to connect the commission and allow it to flow more freely across the canvas.
Finally I added some small flakes of gold leaf to contrast the lines and to add some excitement to the surface. The flakes catch the light and mimic how the sea reflects sunlight and the waves glisten.
Below is the end result. I feel the colours and range of textures complement eachother and follow the abstract sea brief. I wanted to convey the way the sea makes one feel, by representing it rather than copying it. I suggested she frame it in a white floating frame as it is simple and would complement the white accents. The client was very happy with it.
Not long after I completed this piece, the client contacted me again for two more pieces of the same size and subejct matter to go in the space. I used my previous digital sketchbook page as inspiration but altered the composition in the two new pieces.
Once I had made the digital painting sketches, I placed them in the photograph of the space the client had sent. She was happy with them and I began again.
Below are the finished results of the second pieces. She had them framed up in white floating frames to match the original painting and now all three of them are lined up on the wall.
I very much enjoyed creating these pieces for the client as I love painting the North sea and I feel as though I have a connection with it. I also love painting abstract pieces and to combine these two subjects to create something was truely an honour.
コメント