Tuesday, December 02, 2008

A Work In Progress....Completed!!!

My Chickadee and Petunias faux window is now completed. I did drop the ball on some part of this but I will get to that in just a second. This piece was painted on a deep gallery style canvas that is 1 1/2" in depth and measures 16" x 20" in overall size. I love painting on gallery canvas because as you'll see below, the canvas has no staples around the sides, they are clean and smooth, allowing for the design to be carried around to each side. This of course means...you need no frame, which is something I love about this style of canvas.

The above photo is where we left off in my last post about this painting. The flowers at this point have all been completed, the sky and background are done and the bird is the next thing that needs to get finished. I also started the window panes at this point as well..... just laying the base coat in.

Well, here is where the bad part comes in.....I had honestly meant to take more photos of the window panes in progress since my last post but as you can see, I got so carried away painting that I went straight from the second picture you see in this post, to the finished piece. Since you missed so much of the window panes, I will tell you that it was a detail oriented and time consuming process that I used 4 different colors to complete. I wanted the window frame to look as if it was old and chippy , the white paint fading and chipping off to reveal the wood color underneath. I also liked this frame so much because I love the contrast between the dark and light areas, giving it depth and dimension.

Here you can see a close up of the little chickadee and some of the shading and highlighting on the window frame.

All sides are fully painted to give the illusion of an actual window. I hope you've really enjoyed the window process and I promise next time to not forget to take pictures towards the end.


17 comments:

La Donna Welter said...

Love this, especially the side view that gives the illusion of an actual window! This is something I have always wanted to learn how to do! Beautiful!

Catherine Holman said...

Ruth, It's beautiful! I love the window frame edges.
Hugs,
Cathie

Archie and Melissa said...

hi ruth!
oh it is amazing! i just love it!
i can tell you had fun creating this beautiful painting.
your passion always comes through.
xo
melissa

Marilyn said...

Ruth, this is absolutely awesome! I love the little chickadee and the window frame truly looks like a chippy old frame. Be very proud of this one, Ruth!

NeereAnDear said...

Ruth I LOVE this!!! Making the canvas look like a frame is a fantastic idea... and I think the way you made it look so realistic is fantastic...

The background with the flowers sky and chickadee will give someone with the winter blues a bit of spring all year round

Nice job!!

HUGS

JO

Donna said...

Ruth, I love it! I love how you did the sides. Wow, just beautiful!

Gail McCormack said...

All your hard work has paid off with this one Ruth!
It's fantastic!!

Mosaic*Queen said...

Completion! It's a wonderful thing, isn't it?? :-)
Just Gorgeous my dear!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs!
Michelle

The Painted Garden said...

Hi Ruth,

Your finished painting is beautiful - your window frame is so realistic and I love the way you finished the edges to look like a real window. The sweet chickadee was the crowning touch.
Have a fun and creative week.
Can't wait to see your next project.
Erin

Suzanne said...

Stunning Ruth!...you may need an assistant to capture all of your painting moments!? :)

Kathryn Bechen said...

Lovely! I love the edges made to look like a real window. :) Kathryn

Charm and Grace said...

Oh Ruth, it's as beautiful as I knew it would be. I love the colors and particularly how you have done the sides of the canvas. Really wonderful!

I'm a bit better today, but yes...it's definitely the "pits" to be sick on Thanksgiving!! I've survived on turkey and jalapeno pepper sandwiches all week. The peppers are great for a stuffy nose... at least temporarily. He he.

Blessings,
Christi

Mary said...

Your painting came out great! I love the creative way you finished off the sides! Beautiful!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Ruth, Your faux window painting is just so charming. I adore chickadees. Since we put up the feeders at Thanksgiving the "never afraid of anything chickadees" have been flitting constantly in and out. Have a super nice weekend. ~ Lynn

Jenny said...

What a beauty -- the clouds seem as if I could touch them. Truly lovely! I've never tried the gallery canvas, I always seem to work on hanging canvas. I shall give this a try!

Thank you for sharing such inspiration!

kari and kijsa said...

Beautiful!
Happy Saturday!
blessings,
kari & kijsa

bella said...

Beautifully done, Ruth. I love the window pane wrapping around the sides of the canvas. Nice effect.