Friday, April 23, 2010

Owochomo Bridge

18" x 24" oil on stretched canvas
Please contact me if interested

This is another piece from our trip to Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah.  Owachomo Bridge is the 3rd bridge while driving through the park (the road heads you in one direction.)  This was the easiest bridge to reach, just a short walk from the parking lot.  Owachomo means "rock mound" in Hopi.

As I've done for several of my recent large pieces, I started this w/ a value study in sketch and wash pencil.  

I then did a value study in oil using transparent oxide red w/ a little ultramarine blue for the darkest shadows.  I used these 2 studies, and several photos, for the final painting.  The hardest part of the final piece was the foreground.  In my studies, I just roughed this area in very loosely.  I should have paid a little more attention, as the foreground area is about 9" x 18", bigger than many of my whole paintings.
 
This is the start of the trail.  It may look like it goes off the edge, but it's really a gentle, short walk.

My painting is from the bottom, far-side of this bridge.

12 comments:

Dana Cooper said...

I love the reflected light underneath this bridge, Pam...wonderful!

Claire Beadon Carnell said...

Pam, I am so in awe of your ability to capture the glow of light. Showing the reference photographs is a great example of how to take an ordinary photograph, and turn it into an
absolutely extraordinary painting.

Paco The Pug said...

I respectfully disagree about your foreground - it is simply the perfect foil for that strong, well modeled rock bridge - any more detail would derail it.. any less would leave us wondering what the heck it was. You just got it right!

Nancy B. Hartley said...

Pam, Your paintings are like travelogs! I agree with Paco, the foreground is perfect! I could see you selling your wonderful original paintings, or prints, at galleries, gift stores, and hotels, in the area of these beautiful places! I know they would be a popular!

Autumn Leaves said...

This is so gorgeous, Pam. I am reminded of Lee's Sedona photos in his "A Day Not Wasted" blog. I think you handled the foreground beautifully and the values are spot on. Love the use of the blue in the value study too. (I am learning a thing a two while I'm enjoying your blog; always a good thing.)

Amy Hillenbrand said...

Well Pam I agree with Paco and Nancy. Focus is the awesome rock formation and if the foreground was tighter it would have taken away from you well executed foreground. Love the colors

Marian Fortunati said...

FABULOUS, Pam..
Funny, I was just thinking about doing some paintings of this area. My daughter just went through arches and it reminded me of my trip through that part of the world with all of my Italian relatives about two years ago.
Don't we live in the most fabulous world... a new beauty to appreciate around every corner!!!

You did a fabulous job from an interesting perspective!!!

jesusest@gmail.com said...

Powerful image, congratulation

Debbi Smith Rourke said...

So striking and colorful! The composition and colors really draw you in. Great job!

Pam Holnback said...

Dana, Thank you. We were lucky that day that it was sunny. You never know what the weather will be.

Claire, Thanks. The light was just there that day. I didn't show the exact photo I painted from, it was much more colorful.

Paco, I'm sure you would have enjoyed exploring the bushes in the foreground.

Thank you Nancy, I traveling and exploring and seeing new sites. And, I love painting. They just go hand in hand!

Dean H. said...

That bridge is a fantastic rock formation!
I like the composition you came up with! Wonderful work!

Pam Holnback said...

Thank yo Sherrie, I appreciate your comments and thoughts.

Amy, Thanks, You're right. I guess I didn't need to worry so much about the foreground, just the focus.

Thank you Marian, You should do some from Utah. It is an absolutely gorgeous state.

Thanks Jesus for you visit.

Debbi and Dean, Thank you. I was a little worried at first that the rock might e too big for the composition, but it created itself.