View – Part 1: The Photo, Part 2: Sketch, Part 3: Shape Design Study, Part 4: Gouache Color Study, Part 5: Placement of the Bears
It’s finally finished! Feels good to close this chapter, since I put so much time and effort into it. Scaling up to 24 x 36 from a 4 x 6 color comp was a bit tricky. There’s much more detail to put in, but I tried to stay loose at the same time. It turned out that the hardest part of the painting wasn’t the bears, or the rocks, or the sunset coming through the trees, but the leaves on the trees. More specifically, the trees in the center. It felt like painting mashed potatoes.
I’m really happy with the way the bears turned out and the feeling of warm light throughout the painting. Also, glad that the fallen tree isn’t too distracting.
Critiques and comments are welcome.
*Click to Zoom
And here are a few closeups:
Really great painting Stan!
It feels brighter and warmer than the photo and your Sunset intention; your gouache is cooler.
Is the bent trunk a nod to Ivan Shishkin? Its character, while shielding the sun, is a ‘distraction’ and, less so, the “rim light” upon the boulders. The foreground boulder from photo/gouache would decrease the warmth but might provide greater prominence to bears.
I like the spread of the faint mountain over the green “mashed potatoes” that bring me to the bears and their texture; I am interested to know the responses you get from those unaware of the emotional connection to zoo bear photo: bored and tired.
Welcome back Stan and Happy New Year!
Lisa – Thank you!
Erik – Thanks for the great critique. Your advise is very helpful. I am aware that I made it warmer overall than the color comp. I did this intentionally to make it feel more like a sunset.
The bend tree was a nod to Shishkin, but you’re not the first to mention it as a distraction. I kinda like it for some reason, so I’m still not sure about it.
It’s interesting you bring up zoo animals vs wild animals. I’m sure body language would tell a different story. I should look into that for future paintings. The good news is when I was at the zoo, the bears were very playful and full of energy. If you look at the photo you’ll see that the bears are wet after wrestling in a pool. It was quite the show!
Un laborioso trabajo Stan !
El sol que se introduce por entre la foresta expone magnificamente el contexto donde se desarrolla la escena . Zonas de sombras y luces dejan ver la intimidad del bosque.Los osos muestran un excelente volumen , con mil matices , y una logradisima textura de su piel : maravilloso! Observo y aprecio la actitud caracteristica de estos animales , casi podria imaginar que se estàn moviendo sigilosos y atentos ! Gracias Stan por ser luz que ilumina a los que amamos el arte ! Excelente año para vos !
I think your brushwork is absolutely fabulous Stan! (and you did a good job turning those “mashed potatoes” to “trees in the distance with a little filtered light coming through”) Thanks for sharing! Happy New Year! It’s funny, since I’ve never seen a bear that was not in the zoo (or at least in broad daylight) I didn’t catch that they looked “bored”..frankly I’ll bet they have their “slow” moments in the wild too, no?
These bears are positively alive! Bravo. Sissy
I just wanted to tell you i really enjoy your work! Thanks for sharing
Love it,well done man. I think my favourite corner should be the top left corner along with the second close up.
This is a beautiful painting. I love the way the rocks and bears lead my eye through the painting and the way you captured the light.
Just amazing, congratulations. Beautiful colors. Thanks for the tutorial!
Love this painting, love your site and your comments – keep them coming
I love bears- so few people do them well. Yours are wonderful!
Pure magic. How can I get the lessons on “how to” try to paint this magnificent painting. It has been over 40+ years since I held a paint brush in my hand. I recall being impatient with oils. I would really like to start again with some kind of help. My thought that acrylics might be a better choice for me. I am open to any suggestions. I have never taken an art class. Thanks
Bobbi,
I’d start by taking some classes. Visit this website to find an ARC accredited school near you:
http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/ateliers.php
I’ve been with Watts Atelier in California since 2003. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to draw and paint.
Beautiful painting Stan. I really love the warmth of the sun illuminating the trees. Really pretty!
Words can not be put to the feeling I exprience when viewing this work of supreme talent.