Thursday, July 22, 2010

Counting Raindrops

Driving Home in the Rain in progress
12 x 16" oil on linen
©2010 Katherine Kean

I'm developing this painting from a photo I took looking out the car window as I was driving home. The image wasn't shot during this past rainy season, but from a few years ago and has been sitting in my image file all the while waiting for it's time. I am fascinated with the way the drops from a fine drizzle sparkle on the windshield and the effect I feel it brings to an otherwise ordinary view.

I've painted as much as possible of the background before adding the drops, pretty much everything except the foreground drops which I've just started defining, starting with the larger ones. At first I found the definition of the drops a little startling, having as they do so much more focus then the rest of the scene, but I've adjusted to how it looks and having decided it is correct I'll go on to complete this treatment for the many, many remaining drops on the windshield. What's holding me back? I need to get some more tiny brushes. The ones I have are all worn out. Hopefully this week I'll get a chance to get to the art supply store.

10 comments:

Palmer said...

I love this!!

Katherine Kean said...

Palmer - thanks!

Anonymous said...

Katherine:
I love the inspiration for this one.I also find it interesting how a scene, experience or a moment grabs us, we capture it in our minds eye or on film and then it just sits and percolates for awhile. We can even forget about it but our subconscious finds the right time and place to bring it back on our radar screen when our creative juices are ready.

Katherine Kean said...

Well said Marianne. I like to think too, that if the idea is still intriguing after so much time has passed that it must be worthwhile to pursue.

Shanna said...

I do very much love rain and this painting captures that very special mood - safe and dry inside but also in the midst of this universal experience.

Gary Keimig said...

I really like what you have going here. great concept, Katherine

Jean Spitzer said...

I love this.

Katherine Kean said...

Thanks Shanna - I love rain too. Great insight about the experience, like having the cake and eating it too.

Thanks Gary - thanks Jean!

Derek said...

What a wonderful picture Katherine! How atmospheric. :)

Katherine Kean said...

Thank you Derek!

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