Title and Medium
Title: The Lonely Side of Town
Size: 20" x 19 1/2" (51 cm x 48 cm approx)
Materials: Oil, collage, charcoal, knife for scratch marks, on canvas.
Artist's Statement
I wanted to do something using black, white and grey tones. I like film noir very much so it inspired me. I pasted pics of noir-ish type people in the apartment windows so it would look filmic, i.e. each window like a little film frame. I don't think they had graffiti in the 40s but I do like it so I put it on the train side.
I really enjoyed painting it, although I found the perspective looking down on to the sidewalks really challenging. Took me ages trying different things, but in the end I tried to keep it simple, partly because it was meant to be a bit bleak and also because I wasn't competent enough to do much else from that perspective.
What I'd Do Differently
- I think I'd like to learn more about drawing perspective, seeing things from different angles. I've got a book, but it still has me beat! That would give me more scope. It took me ages, but I am pleased with it. I loved doing it.
My Website/Blog
http://paintersprogress-duffy65.blogspot.com/
Marion Boddy-Evans, Painting Guide, says:
I think you should be pleased with it! Don't give up on perspective, because looking at this you're definitely getting to grips with it. As for it taking you ages, with a subject such as this combined with checking perspective, I'd expect it to. Time spent (or not spent) isn't a measure of a successful or failed painting; it'll take as long as it needs to take.Looking at the composition, I think the bottom left-hand quarter of the painting wants something in the very darkest tone too. It doesn't need to be huge, say the sliver of shadow right on the edge on the building under the bridge. The viewer's eye will jump between the darkest tones, giving a unity to the composition.
