Tuesday, March 12, 2013

What Lies Ahead

'What Lies Ahead' 
10 x 14 inches
watercolor on paper
$300 plus $10 US shipping, or $20 International


Lately I am fascinated with the back view of a person. I like the mystery and the unknown of what they're doing and thinking. And I am in love with back lighting. My favorite kind of lighting I think. 

I wanted there to be that unknown quality with this painting, so I made the forest background more suggested than detailed (also because I don't like painting detailed backgrounds :). There was a point when I was working on this painting where I felt like I was never, ever, ever going to be finished painting that dress. It took many, many layers.

So even though midway through I felt like pulling my hair out, in the end once it was done I felt more like doing this:

Because it turned out exactly like I pictured it in my head.  Which pretty much never happens. So I'd call that a success right? ;)

Until tomorrow friends! Huzzah!!

Reference photo by Jessica of Faestock on DeviantART, thank you! 



Posted by Crystal Cook at 8:36 AM
Labels: , , ,

26 comments:

  1. UnknownMarch 12, 2013 at 8:51 AM

    I just love your art... it has soul. Thank you for sharing such beauty with us :-)

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 13, 2013 at 8:35 AM

      Thank you very much Laura for that lovely comment. :)))

      Delete
  2. RochelleMarch 12, 2013 at 9:21 AM

    Your really nailed it...I love that dress...well worth the extra time. And you're right about the mystery...I feel that when looking at this dramatically beautiful piece.

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 13, 2013 at 8:35 AM

      Thank you so much Rochelle, that means a lot to me. :))

      Delete
  3. Kim RempelMarch 12, 2013 at 9:41 AM

    LOVE it! The wind catching her hair and dress - beautiful motion. Rich palette + values. All the depth in her hair and in the folds flowing down her back - snap! : )

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 13, 2013 at 8:35 AM

      Why thank you SO much Kim!! :)))) Huzzah for snaps!! ;)

      Delete
  4. renateMarch 12, 2013 at 9:46 AM

    Hi Crystel:) Beautiful!! I love the background too and the foreground is fantastic. Wonderful color. Great art:)

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  5. martinealisonMarch 12, 2013 at 10:56 AM

    Ma belle rousse préférée ! Je l'assimile tant à ma fille !...
    Un travail titanesque dans le drapé en plus de sa merveilleuse chevelure. je comprends aisément votre épuisement et à la fois votre hargne... Mais cela en valait la peine, n'est-ce pas ?
    Bravo ma chère amie, j'aime beaucoup cette oeuvre!
    Gros bisous

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    Replies
    1. Crystal CookMarch 13, 2013 at 8:34 AM

      Thanks so much Martine! I would love to see a pic of your daughters red hair! :)))

      Delete
  6. hmuxoMarch 12, 2013 at 11:33 AM

    A gorgeous painting, Crystal....I love the vibrant color...and folds in the material..!!

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 13, 2013 at 8:33 AM

      Thanks Hilda! I go a little crazy about colors sometimes. :)

      Delete
  7. Gatepost productionsMarch 12, 2013 at 12:38 PM

    Incredible, Dramatic and a little bit brilliant. The back lighting, dress, the hair ... where does one begin to describe the painting?

    No wonder you are pleased with it!

    Well done, Crystal!

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  8. Catharina EngbergMarch 12, 2013 at 1:28 PM

    I LOVE your painting. You have such fresh colours, and allways seem to find a "glow". This one is really glowing! The dress seems soft as velvet with that gorgeous colour. It is just PERFECT! :)

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 13, 2013 at 8:32 AM

      Thank you so much Catharina! You are so kind. :) And her dress was made out of a crushed velvet, it was tricky to try and get that texture right.

      Delete
  9. MaritzaMarch 12, 2013 at 3:17 PM

    La luz sobre el costado izquierdo de su cabeza y hombro, es francamente encantadora, y la pintura en general me presenta ensoñadores momentos, llenos de magia, ilusión, romanticismo y nostalgia también.

    Te felicito!
    ABRAZOS DESDE CHILE.

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    Replies
    1. Crystal CookMarch 13, 2013 at 8:31 AM

      Thank you so much! The light is always a huge draw for me. :)

      Delete
  10. Studio at the FarmMarch 12, 2013 at 4:21 PM

    Vert dramatic, Crystal! And I love the Jensen Ackles clip. :) I do the same thing after a great ride.

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 13, 2013 at 8:30 AM

      Thanks Kathryn!! I want to see you do that after a great ride. :)

      Delete
  11. suzanneberryMarch 12, 2013 at 6:58 PM

    wow! strong, beautifully done and the clip is priceless.

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 13, 2013 at 8:30 AM

      Aww thanks Suz!! That means so much coming from you. :))

      Delete
  12. Sandra BusbyMarch 13, 2013 at 3:06 AM

    Hehe! I love the animation of how you feel!
    Oh but it is SO clear why! This is just so incredible! That beautiful vibrant color, the folds in her clothes, the hair... It is memorizing!
    Actually, I think painting the back view of a person is brilliant - not just because it can be related to more than just on person, but because of the element of mystery. And so much can be said in body language alone.
    Paul once brought a print of a painting - a women sitting on the edge of a bed, with her head down and her hair dangling. You can't see her face at all, and he brought it because it reminded him of me. Had here face have been visible, he wouldn't have brought it! :0)

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 13, 2013 at 8:29 AM

      He he! I love that animation too! I just figured out how to use them so I'm sure I'll have more. :) And I love that your Paul bought that because it reminds him of you. :)))) That is so true about the fave not being visible. :)

      Delete
  13. CarrieMarch 13, 2013 at 8:19 AM

    This is beyond a success, pure genius!! just absolutely glows. Makes me think of Brave, love that movie and love her--Sam is in love with Merida! I'll say isn't Brave pretty and he'll say Mom her name is Merida:)) Anyway, stunning, stunning, stunning! I just love being friends with an artistic genius!!!

    Carrie Waller

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    1. Crystal CookMarch 13, 2013 at 8:28 AM

      Aww Carrie you are way to nice to me! Thank you! And yeah she does make me think of Brave too! Didn't realize that until you said it though. :)) I love that movie!! I'm glad I'm friends with an artistic genius too!

      Delete

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment they really do mean so much to me! Because not all bloggers have their email enabled so I can reply directly through email I will try to reply here in the comments. If I don't please forgive me, life must have been hectic that day! :)) Huzzah!!

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