Artist Spotlite – Brenda Scott

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Artist Name: Brenda Scott

Location: Victoria, BC CANADA

Title: Favorite Chair

Medium: Watercolor

Dimensions: 3 1/2 inches wide by 2 1/2 inches tall

Support: 140 lb cold press watercolor paper

Comments From the Artist: This painting was completed using a reference photo found on Wetcanvas.com as the subject matter however I changed the colors of the cat, curtains and chair. I really liked how the photo captured the serenity and peacefulness of a content cat relaxing in their favorite spot.

I painted a underpainting using a blue gray color to ensure that the values were what I wanted them to be. Once that underpainting had dried I added thin layers of colour on top. I also used a small amount of gaouche on the tips of the paws, nose and bell to brighten them.

Tags: artist spotlight, Artist Spotlite, brenda scott, original art, original artwork, Watercolor Painting

Comments

12 Comments on "Artist Spotlite – Brenda Scott"

carolyn Bishop on Wed, 11th Feb 2009 4:21 pm

Very sweet! And you’ve captured the light so beautifully!

Manjula Singh on Wed, 11th Feb 2009 4:45 pm

This is lovely! I especially liked the light passing through the curtains and on the cat basking in the sun.

Elizabeth on Wed, 11th Feb 2009 7:57 pm

I love the colors in the fur – it is how light plays on objects and you’ve captured it nicely.

James on Thu, 12th Feb 2009 12:53 am

A very nice little painting. And I do mean little Wow is it really 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches. I would need a magnifying glass just to see it let alone paint it. There is an organization called the “whiskey painters” that I believe paint tiny too. Also historically they dip their brushes in whiskey or drink the whiskey while they paint. I can’t recall which. My critique: Cat, window and curtains, good light. The background behind the cat I’m unsure about. If it is the chair as referenced in your comments, then perhaps more texture or more vaule in the shadows.
Thanks for offering it up to us for review and enjoyment.
James

John on Thu, 12th Feb 2009 2:03 am

Really good. I like the squity eye.

John on Thu, 12th Feb 2009 2:04 am

That is squinty eye. I hope that one is spelled right.

Warroya on Thu, 12th Feb 2009 7:50 pm

Really nice little painting. I also like to do small watercolor paintings just for the fun of it. I think you should print them for post cards since you did it on that scale.The subject matter truly gives the impression of peace. I think it would make a very thoughtful surprise to in someones mail box. Snail mail is so unusual today but I think very much appreciated when one gets one.
Just a thought ~

Dr. Derek P. Blake on Sun, 15th Feb 2009 12:38 pm

The tone reduction of the cat works really well, reminds me of a sleepy summer Sunday afternoon.

Brenda on Sun, 15th Feb 2009 6:04 pm

Thank you for the wonderful comments.

I wanted the back ground to be completely dark. I love the effect when you have the contrast between something bathed in bright light against a dark featureless background. I really love the paintings of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. He used the technique called chiaroscuro which is the the contrast of light and dark to create atmosphere, drama, and emotion. Some of Rembrandt’s painitngs use the technique as well.

I am part of the ebay ACEO group. ACEO stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. The only guideline regarding ACEOs is that they must be 3 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches (size of a hockey card).

The website for the ACEO group is http://www.art-cards.org and the link for the ebay group is http://groups.ebay.com/forum/Aceo-Art-Cards/Welcome/100016579

Lynn Marlowe on Thu, 19th Feb 2009 12:50 am

I like especially the fur which looks fluffy.

Ingrid Albrecht on Mon, 2nd Mar 2009 5:26 am

Hi Brenda,

For some reason I did not get this latest post and was not able to offer this critique in a timely fashion!

The mood of your little ACEO painting is very nice and the feeling of light coming in and glowing on the cat is done nicely.

I would like to offer a few comments about your little painting. You mentioned that you got this reference photo from Wetcanvas.com. When I teach my classes, I have this conversation with my students about them using “reference images” that they have taken themselves over those from other sources. When one is involved with the “reference” that has been taken by themselves, there is much more emotional reaction to that subject matter and that reaction is then transfered into the painting. By taking the references yourself, these are truly your OWN IMAGES. There is very good practice in designing your OWN PAINTINGS, knowing what to eliminate and edit and what to keep.

The design elements are quite good in this little painting and the dark negative space really is a nice shape and “pops” the cat for emphasis.

Thank you for sharing this with us and keep painting!

Ingrid