Black Holes in Reference Photos

A watercolor "tippette" from July 2018 - worth a 2nd look!!

Tippette #37: The Black Hole(s) in Reference Photos

Tippette = Snippet of a Tip (in watercolor).

Here's a real life example of why artists shouldn't rely solely on photos for reference.

Photos lie, especially in the darkest portions of a photo.  Just look at the difference between the reference photo and then the lightened up version below it.  Get ready to be amazed!

So hard to tell what's going on in the darks.

Lightened up version (use any photo editing software).
No way I saw that door open, with a man walking through it.
And just look at the windows!!
But now I have to figure out what to do about the door...hmmmm.
Luckily, I have MUCH experience with painting doors!

The answer when working from photos is to be sure you know exactly what's happening in your dark areas or you'll end up with a black hole that nobody wants to go down. Here's the finished painting...

"Late in the Day"
Watercolor on 300# Arches - Available
Helen K Beacham Fine Art

I hope these periodic tippettes help you in your painting journey.  Ask me anything in the Comments below and I'll either direct you to an existing tippette, or I'll write a post with my answer.

You might also enjoy:  TIPPETTE #11:  IMPROVING ON YOUR PHOTOGRAPH

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                          -------------------------------------------------

My next overseas workshop is VENICE IN APRIL 2020

DETAILS HERE.

Please share with a painting friend!?  Thank you!

READ MY LATEST POST HERE

www.HelenKBeacham.com

Tippette #37: The Black Hole(s) in Reference Photos

Tippette = Snippet of a Tip (in watercolor).

Here's a real life example of why artists shouldn't rely solely on photos for reference.

I took this photo in Venice...I'm in the process of painting it (or at least a stylized version of it...stay tuned...not sure myself what it'll morph into).

Today's Tippette:  Photos lie, especially in the darkest portions of a photo.  Just look at the difference between the reference photo and then the lightened up version below it.  Get ready to be amazed!

So hard to tell what's going on in the darks.

Lightened up version (use any photo editing software).
No way I saw that door open, with a man walking through it.
Unfortunately for him, he won't be included in my painting.
But now I have to figure out what to do about the door...hmmmm.
Luckily, I have MUCH experience with painting doors!

Well?  Were you amazed by how much detail was hidden from me?

The answer for an artist working from photos is to be sure you know exactly what's happening in your dark areas or you'll end up with a black hole that nobody wants to go down. 

I hope these periodic tippettes help you in your painting journey.  Ask me anything in the Comments (or email me) and I'll either direct you to an existing tippette, or I'll write a post with my answer.

You might also enjoy:  TIPPETTE #11:  IMPROVING ON YOUR PHOTOGRAPH

Remember to sign up to receive my blog automatically, sent via email to your inbox!  Let me know if you have trouble doing that.

                          -------------------------------------------------

P.S.

In 2019, I'm teaching at a castle in France!

And YOU can come with me!

You can find all that info right HERE.

Early Bird fees apply!

Won't you please share my post with a friend??

Non-painting spouses are also invited!  Yay!

If 2018 is a better travel time for you, I still have 2 spots open in both my France and Venice workshops! You could even do them back-to-back!

See everything HERE.

READ MY LATEST POST HERE

www.helenkbeacham.com

BeachamFineArt@gmail.com

843-408-5240

Tippette #11 - Improving on your Photograph

Tippette = Snippet of a Tip (in watercolor).  One per day...during April...right here!

Improving on your Photograph

"Before the Storm" by Helen K Beacham - Sold.

I improved this photo in several ways.  

- I straightened out the horizon line.  It must be straight (unless you want to cause your viewer to feel disoriented on purpose!)

- I made the wave break THROUGH the horizon line on the left for visual interest.

- I altered the wave formation so it's not so bland.  I took lots of photos that day and my painting is a combination of several of those.

- I obviously changed the colors.  I chose about 5 colors ahead of time and limited myself to those. I layered (or glazed) washes of color over previously dried layers.  You can see it in the detail below.  Some areas I painted wet into wet, and some were dry brushed (I'll touch on this in a future tippette).

Detail to show layering of washes to create movement and interest.

When I started painting 30 years ago, there was no such thing as a digital camera and even though Photoshop showed up on the scene 23 years ago (can you believe that?!), it didn't go mainstream for many years.  So, as a young painter, I had to deal with a lot of crummy photos that I took. I had to learn to improve what I saw on my photo, and I'm still in the habit of doing that today. 
Cameras may have improved since then, but photographs still "lie", so don't copy them without determining how you can improve them!  The shadows are usually too dark and the highlights leave a lot to be desired.  But, in addition to generally improving on my photos, I now try to interject an emotion or feeling into the scene that the camera just can't translate.  I'm the one that was there, absorbing the sunshine, or breathing the cold air.  I'm the one (as the artist) that can make you feel that sensation when you look at my work.  

www.helenKbeacham.com

                                                  READ MY LATEST POST HERE.