Friday, March 28, 2008

Olive and Victory





Oil 12x16 on linen
This is the corner of Olive And Victory in Burbank a half a block from Nickelodeon. The light was odd than day and taking a shot into the sun gave me a seemly under and over exposed picture. The challenge was taking this almost useless reference shot and making it into something. I don’t think it recognizable as the corner described as I just faked everything; it’s more a reflection of the dark mood I was in when it was painted.

23 Comments:

Blogger Chris Ousley said...

>You wrote: "The challenge was taking this almost useless reference shot and making it into something."
Improvisation! You do it well. Great piece. I like the "greyish" light

6:30 PM  
Blogger Connie said...

Hi William, I enjoy your blog every morning. Would you be willing to share your technique for those telephone/electric wires? I just did a painting with wires and they, indeed, looked quite clunky. Thanks, Connie

6:32 PM  
Blogger sandy said...

I'm sure I saw that same sky that day. We had such a variety of scenic skies ths past winter and spring. Beautiful work Bill.

sandy

8:24 PM  
Blogger Kim VanDerHoek said...

A very challenging exercise for sure. Nicely done!

9:35 PM  
Blogger Kate said...

Wow, this just goes to show that you don't need a gorgeous setting to paint a gorgeous picture. I'm inspired to revisit all my bad photos now....

9:58 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

U sure make a everyday street look special!! Beautiful work!

11:21 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Bill, the thick over those thin darks is so nice. So much to learn from your simplification, this one's got it in spades.

7:59 AM  
Blogger Jamal O said...

William,

ThanQ, I'm humbled by such an Amazing compliment.

I enjoy your paintings very much.
ThanQ for sharing your work.

Best

Jamal.

11:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I really like the light in this one...

11:33 AM  
Blogger Jared Shear said...

Your choice of colors in many of your most recent paintings have been both unique and refreshing.....they help to capture a mood, and sense of place that fits perfect for the subject you've painted. This one is no exception.....Bravo!

5:54 PM  
Blogger Cooper Dragonette said...

Fantastic Will--Love the limited palette. BTW I have a hard time these days passing industrial worksites or freight yards without seeing a William Wray painting.

6:00 AM  
Blogger SEILER said...

Dang man, you make this look too easy . . . thanks for the inspiration . . . awesome painting!!!

3:39 PM  
Blogger william wray said...

thanks C. sometimes I think have less to work with is more too...

4:30 PM  
Blogger Michael Pieczonka said...

Bill, very impressed you can pull this type of daylit feel out using only photo reference? You seem to have captured perfectly one of those odd light transitions when a sun might break through the clouds. very urban feel too I might add.

cheers, Mike

11:32 PM  
Blogger William K. Moore said...

Dark mood working for the cause of art... I'll have to remember that next time I'm at Ralph's... damn nice painting!

9:45 AM  
Blogger kim shields said...

Only William Wray could make an ordinary street corner and 7-11 sign look like a masterpiece. Great Work!

4:57 PM  
Blogger Blaubaer said...

super,diese Bild gefällt mir sehr.Entspricht auch meiner Stimmung

12:52 PM  
Blogger william wray said...

Connie-- I do the wires with a knife edge.

7:31 PM  
Blogger william wray said...

thanks Sandy some great skies during tht rain... we need more

7:32 PM  
Blogger william wray said...

thanks Van, Kate, Alina, Tim, Jamal, Thor...

7:34 PM  
Blogger Connie said...

William, thank you for the info on painting wires. I shall practice. Connike

7:53 AM  
Blogger william wray said...

thanks Jared

12:08 PM  
Blogger Dar Presto said...

the quality of light here is incredible. beautiful work.

9:34 AM  

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