![\"House-with-pool\"](\"http:\/\/www.hyattmoore.com\/egallery\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/House-with-pool.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe house and patio as I\u00a0photographed\u00a0it on my first visit.<\/h6>\n
The house, a majestic piece of\u00a0architecture\u00a0in the Santa Ana hills, was to figure prominently with the people, positioned candidly and naturally out in front. The first challenge with that, however, was \u00a0the pool . . . which was right where everyone would need to be.<\/p>\n
Assuming we’d figure a way to make it happen, we\u00a0determined\u00a0the size and the shape of the painting by architectural factors and furniture already in the home. As they’d been dreaming of this idea for some time, the place for the painting had been long reserved. It was to be the jewel in a very beautiful ring.<\/p>\n I figured if we could get a photo, I could make the painting. So they set a date, brought family members in from distant places, located and borrowed early-California garb, and with the help of photographer friends, we arranged the shoot. The idea was for each to be in natural pose, acting in a way that indicated their particular talents or activities. That’s Perry and Sandra bringing in the wine and the bread. Their parents are at a game of cards, a normal activity for them. Via photoshop magic, the group has been pulled out from the house and the pool is gone. For the photo, one dog represented two (again, photoshop).<\/p>\n Here’s the first and easiest step in the painting process . . . getting rid of all that white canvas (in this case, linen).<\/p>\n After the photo, the drawing is the most important step. This one’s in charcoal. Cartoon<\/em> is the actual word for this stage, though it’s exacting work and there’s nothing “funny” about it.<\/p>\n This, and the following, show stages of oil paint being applied. At first it took on a sepia look,\u00a0reminiscent\u00a0of early photography. But the idea was for full color, if somewhat muted, with the “period” clothing.<\/p>\n The whites of the garb began to add punch as well as a sense of unifying design across the width of painting. Why faces first? Because they are the most challenging and, in a portrait, most important.<\/p>\n Here the figures are all complete, but for some finishing touches. The red dog has been painted in thanks to a photo supplied later, as well as the still life on the table, the card game, etc.<\/p>\n Once a stranger who learned I was a painter asked if I paint houses. “Yes,” I said, “though with a very small brush.” Above is one example of such.<\/p>\n By the time I was done, the earth had become brown, the sky bluer, the clouds brighter, the\u00a0foliage\u00a0fuller, the windows more reflective, a wall-display of crosses added in, and Sandra’s hair more flowing.<\/p>\n Here’s the painting on its day of delivery. Someday it may receive a frame; meantime, it is a piece of lasting pleasure, a “crazy” idea that worked.<\/p>\n Here’s a quote from Sandra Even following delivery: “We continue to spend time each evening gazing at our painting. It is profound and very meaningful to us. Those who have seen it are complimentary yet almost without words.”<\/p>\n I’m grateful, and happy that they’re happy.<\/p>\n .<\/p>\n Thanks to the loan of a desert hideaway, we’re off to Tucson for a week of\u00a0art-making. Will doubtless be reporting on results of that in an upcoming post.<\/p>\n Giclee prints on canvas or watercolor paper are now\u00a0available\u00a0for order on virtually the full array of Hyatt Moore paintings. See \u201cStore\u201d above, or\u00a0click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The writing blog,\u00a0Blank Slate,<\/em>\u00a0is viewable on this same website (top right). One recent post featured a painting my dad made, with historical meaning. Check it out.\u00a0To subscribe, click here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nThe planned placement.<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nA quasi-sepia tone version of the final photo.<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nLaying in the background.<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThe cartoon.<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThe first stage of painting.<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nFaces and limbs established.<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0All clothed.<\/h6>\n
<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/p>\nThe house painted.<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThe final version. Click on picture for larger view.<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThe painting’s new home within a home.<\/h6>\n
Current and Upcoming Events<\/h1>\n
Next: Tucson<\/h2>\n
NEW: Prints Available for all paintings<\/h2>\n
Blank Slate<\/em>, the \u201cliterary\u201d blog<\/h2>\n
Semi-Private Coaching for Painters<\/h2>\n