Ricketts Glen State Park
Friends were married in September and asked for a 14"x11" painting of their favorite hiking trail in north central Pennsylvania because hiking together built their relationship. They wanted some fall color. I had photos from summer (all greens) and very late fall (browns and oranges) and tried to make it 'early fall' without a direct reference. Also the photos had slightly different views of the same place which I worked to combine. I think they are excited to have an "original watercolor" to hang on their walls even though I am relatively inexperienced. I tried several small practice paintings to figure out colors and technique, but my first large size try was gravely overworked. I realized I was going for too much photo-realism being egged on by my non-artist hubby to "make it look more real". I think with this version (on Arches 140 lb. rough) I finally have it to a point where I could enjoy it on my wall (my test before giving something away). But I'm willing to try it again if all of your feedback merits the effort. 🙂
One of the reference photos:
So helpful! I had thought those 2 trees added too much weight on the left side, but it hadn't occurred to me to move them. I tend to hesitate at moving things in a place they can go to and think, "Huh, those trees are actually here, not there." But they will look at the painting on their wall much more and longer than the actual scene, and I want the art to stand on its own. Thank you, Paul.