Monday, May 19, 2014

Spring Bike Path #2

Ottawa has tons of bike paths all over the city.  Some of the nicest are near the Ottawa canal.  During the tulip festival it's quite spectacular.  
I began this painting on a fairly textured ground, using a random (not very good) photo as a resource.  I usually use a warm coloured oil ground underneath paintings, but this one was a vivid cobalt blue; giving it a bit of a mysterious cast as I blocked in the shapes.  At some point it got an indian yellow glaze, and then I worked back into it after that... It's been fun developing the design intuitively, as I go along. It may get a few more tweaks, but I'm feeling good with it at this point.
I'm off to Ottawa in an hour or two, as I will be assisting my dad as he undergoes a hernia op for the next few days. Maybe I'll get out and get some more bike path photo resources while I'm there, I'm enjoying this new theme.  I feel like it's been a long time since I worked on a new theme.

12 comments:

  1. Wonderful painting as always Sally. I wish your dad a full and speedy recovery!!

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  2. wishing your dad a smooth and easy recovery.
    And lovely painting, as always.

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  3. Beautiful painting Sally. Really bold . Love the composition of the cyclists through the trees and their long shadows.......

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  4. Love the spring bike path picture and your description of what you do. Those tulips are iconic for me because I grew up in Ottawa.

    XOXOXOXO Barbara

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  5. Thanks Keith. Dad's doing really well now.

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  6. Hi Annette, laproscopic surgery is definately the way to go, he's doing well thanks you!

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  7. Sarah, thanks for stopping by and encouraging me with you words.

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  8. Barbara, yes those tulips are very iconic of Ottawa arent they...i have a couple more in the works too, hopefully get at them soon.

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  9. A beautiful painting Sally! I love the golden glow throughout. Glad to see through your comment responses that your dad is doing well.
    I hope you're really enjoying all those spring flowers. I imagine you're savouring them more than usual after such a long and brutal winter!

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  10. Hi Wendy, thanks for dropping in and making my day with your lovely comments. You are definately right, after the long winter it makes the spring especially sweet!

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  11. Sally! Those are the most beautiful ref tulips I have ever seen! The background lighting and overall mood of this work is off the charts wonderful! The tulips scream to be noticed! They jump off the canvas! Bravo on this one! (Bravo on all your work!!!)
    Take care buddy!
    Michael

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  12. aww Michael you sure know how to lift the spirits with your comments! Thanks for your delight.

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