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Monday 21 May 2012

Can you see the rat?


Like the title???  Nothing to do with the gentleman in this painting.  When I posted this on PMP  (Paint my Photo), someone commented that they could see a rat sitting on the table below the map that the guy is holding.  This is not the case of course.  The dark shape is in fact his thigh and a small part of his shorts on view.  Can't help but see the rat all the time now!
I have added a detail of his face so that this distraction is removed.  This is another study in light.  We all know that when painting with watercolour the white parts are nothing more than dry untouched paper, but there is a trick - a subtle one - but it works nicely.
Whites appear whiter when there is a bold darker colour placed next to it.  In the same way, the bold colour appears even bolder when placed next to the white.  'Sparkle' is a term I have heard often in watercolour critique - and that is what I tried to achieve here.

9 comments:

  1. Perhaps you should re-title the picture 'Man and Rat discuss the The Financial Times'

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  2. You certainly use he highlight/ shadow technique well and it does add a real sparkle.

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  3. Brian I've seen this painting many a time in other places and this is the first time I've seen that rat, now you mention it. It doesn't take anything away from this being a great painting with that lovely sparkly light that I know you do so well.

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  4. Thanks Laura. It certainly brought a smile to my face! I think I will study my other work and look for furry rodents. ;-)

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  5. My sister says she can see a face in the painting I did of the horse's eye... can't see past that now!!!! I love Charles' suggestion for a title!!!

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  6. Let me now if you can see the face???

    http://judithfarnworthart.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/unspoken-kindness.html

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  7. I will have a look at that Judith. I was going to contact you anyway. I will be in your home town on Saturday.

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Thanks for taking the time to look and comment.