Cafe' Seating 8.5" x 13"

Well, I've had to take a small break from my McMurry color studies simply because there are a few submission deadlines for shows I would like to enter. So here is a work that I have been wanting to paint simply because I love the reflections on the floor. It's the same interest I have in painting water, but it's a simple floor with colors coming from the unknown surroundings, possibly neon lights. This little scene was taken from a cafe' on NW 19th in Portland. Not sure of the cafe's name, but they do serve up some delicious soups and gourmet dishes. Here are the steps to the piece:


First the sketch on the Wallis sanded paper with charcoal pencil.


I used Createx airbrushing pigment to under-paint the intense orange and dark blue to give the piece unity. I picked the orange compliment to give the piece some excitement because this is going to be a predominately blue piece, and the dark blue simply because I needed a dark base.


Blocking in the darks and lights to establish value ranges.


Working on the floor and seating.


Adding the surrounding colors that attracted me to this scene in the first place..I can see it coming together now but still much to do.


Adding detail to the final piece like fixing the windows and door, adding the centerpiece, highlights on the barstools, etc. Finished!
Giclee' print available online at Imagekind.