Thursday, October 2, 2014

On doing one's own work

I am trying to do some watercolour work every day.  And it isn't as if I don't have tons of inspiration. And yet here I am copying someone else's work.  This is only for my own interest, and because I LOVE the version done by the artist.  It is done by Adrie Hoekstra and is a picture she did based on a photo taken in Gent.  I was so smitten with her version that I had to give it a try.  It was fun to try and replicate colours which I suppose is a sort of learning in itself.  I am trying to figure out why some pieces appeal to me and others do not.  And I am wondering what it will tell me about my own work. This is my version of the piece done by Hoekstra.



I just want to reiterate that this is not my work....well,I did do this little painting but it is a total copy of the piece done by Hoekstra.  It really is a difficult question, this 'copying' business.  Is it all right to do this kind of thing if it's just for my own learning?? I know there are classes that teach one how to draw and paint 'like the masters', so I'm hoping it's ok.

In the meantime, I have purchased more pears and plan to do some more of my own work.  There, that will feel better.


Pretty dramatic lighting, hey???  Yum!!!  I have messed around a bit in photoshop elements to get this effect.


Both of these shots were taken out the east facing window that I showed you the other day in the sunrise shot.  The wonderful stone in the background is part of the roof structure of the building where we are staying and the pears are sitting on a glass shelf that has lighting built/hidden in it.  Very effective, although here the lights are turned off and the sun is lighting up the fruit.  Possibilities, don't you think???

I'll get busy, and I'll be back...

Here's a link to the original watercolour of the original photo, well, you'll see what I mean:

http://www.edohannema.nl/wordpress/three-painters-doing-gent/

4 comments:

  1. Marny,
    Hi, I can't find the email you sent so I can reply ( sorry to be so long- will explain). Please send me another so I have your correct address. Your work is lovely. Hope you are enjoying.

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  2. I'm sure this is quite OK ... a learning moment, after all ... and you've clearly acknowledged what you've done and linked to a photo of the piece you copied. No problems, I'd say.
    I LOVE those back-lit pears, especially the top version. What a clever effect. There is no end to the possibilities of Photoshop. What did you use?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Margaret. Thanks for your thoughts re the 'copying' thing.
      As for Photoshop, I'm a big fan of the 'watercolour' filter. But here I think it was mostly about the light in the set up. Perfectly back-lit at around noon with that gorgeous background. I'll have to take lots of shots on that spot before I get back home!!!
      Thanks for stopping by!

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