"The Conversation" part 5

It's much closer to what I am after. Painting things into submission so I can get the main event of the window and the 'girls' to shine. Love the black shape of that sweater! But WHY is this format like this now? I have NO idea!

"The Conversation" part #4

I don't have a deadline for this piece as I often do. And so I am letting it 'simmer' in between the times I work on it. I have a vision for it, but at this point I am simply getting the elements carefully worked out. There is the perspective to it all, the odd and mysterious shapes of legs and napkins under the table, the very subtle tone and color changes of the walls, window moldings, etc. It is rather like building a house. You first must have a vision for what you want. Then you have blueprints (or the sketch you make for the painting) and then you build the structure. Only then do you return to your vision and make the necessary changes that bring that vision to life. Or else it is just a copy of the physical universe. In that case, might as well just make a photograph!

"The Conversation" part 3

I'm working to get everything major in place so I can make judgements about how light or dark I want those things to be. That part under the table is challenging because it is hard to tell from the photograph exactly what is going on. As a painter, you have to know what the H is going on and paint with understanding!

You can see that the photo I am working from is partly showing on the lower right.

"The Conversation" part 2!

Just getting started and working out the window which is where I want emphasis of the lightness of the tones of the leaves that cast a sort of glow on the ladies who lunch and chat!