Saturday 31 December 2016

It Nearly All Went up In Smoke!

I nearly called this one Lazarus, as it almost died on me and took a lot of resuscitation. The smoke and steam went from bad to worse. I have never painted clouds, let alone steam before and, being me, I don't do test pieces... life's too short.

I tried so hard but it looked like soup. I got to the point when I had nothing to lose, and let the brush take over and do the painting instead of me.

The painting is far from perfect and missed my expectations by miles, nevertheless, the mixture of pen & ink on canvas with paint seems to be an avenue worth pursuing.

Quite a big painting then, by my standards. It doesn't do justice to Josh Friedman's photograph, for which I apologise.

                                                           Veteran Steam Engine                                   John Simlett
                                                                                                                         (from a photograph
                                                                                                                           by Josh Friedman)
Pen & Ink and Acrylic
On Stretched Cotton Canvas
31.5 x  23.5 inches (80 x  60 cms)

Reference Photograph Courtesy of
JoshFriedmanPhoto New York
(6 x 4 inches)

23 comments:

  1. John. This is truly STUNNING !!!

    I can smell the smoke and hear the hiss of the steam.

    Many congratulations and my order for a print will be on its way, shortly. Presumably from your ETSY SHOP ?

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    1. Not sure how to reproduce it yet, Zephyrinus. Will email you when I've got my act together

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  2. I think you did a great job, John!
    I always heard that painting soft edges in acrylic is very hard, and easier in oil. But I have no experience whatsoever in both mediums. Although I do have a beautiful box full of acrylic paints, so I may try acrylics in the new year.
    All the best wishes for 2017, John!

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    1. The secret is to soften the edges as much as you can as you go, then use a gloss medium and glaze over the edges.

      Glad you like it :) Happy New Year and acrylic painting

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  3. Very wonderful painting !!!
    Best wishes for a Happy New Year 2017 !!!

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  4. I LOVE this painting John. I have a wonderful reference photo that I've been wanting to paint of a train in the winter that my Nephew took while he worked. (He works for the Railroad here on Long Island). You have inspired me to do it in 2017 or I'll give the reference photo to you...lol. Happy New Year!!!

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    1. Happy New Year, Hilda. Look forward to your train painting ... or ... the photo :)

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  5. Dear John I wish you and your family,Happy New Year...Congratulations for experimenting new mixed media way to reach what you want..Time to get our ideas with all our means!!! Ad maiora for 2017 Simlett Art!!!

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    1. Thank you Rita. I hope you find peace and happiness in 2017

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  6. I really like the dramatic design and how you used the smoke rising for extra punch against the blue. It is a mixture of painterly and detail - a combination hard to beat. Congratulations. I think it is fabulous and you should do another in the same technique right away.

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    1. For all the humour, I still take anything you say regarding art very seriously. Whereas I was dithering, I shall now push on with another, as you suggest.

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    2. Love the complement - thanks, John.
      have to admit...I was waiting for the punch line

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  7. Congrats, John! You did a wonderful work. Please enjoy and keep up your work. Drawing is fun. Best wishes, Sadami

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  8. Thank you, Sadami. I enjoyed your 'superman'

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  9. This subject suits you John. It's a lovely mix of precision and expression, hard and soft. Nice work with a new medium. Definitely give us more!

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  10. Hi John, thank you so much for your lovely comments on my last blog post - like you I've been all over the place with not much time to paint recently but today I am finally making an effort to catch up in blogland. Congrats on both 'pups' by the way!! I like this piece and agree with Linda in that the subject has the technical details you are so good at along with the more painterly effects of the smoke and steam - which don't look like soup!!

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    1. Nice to see you back, Nic; thanks for the kind comments

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  11. Love it! Your painting has feeling by the bucket loads. It's a rare case you see a paining alongside a ref photo - but I love yours notwithstanding it isn't a replica of the photo.

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    1. Thank you, Pat, and I enjoyed your aircraft painting very much.

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