Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Summerland..down by the beach

" Beach Party"
9" X 12" Oil on Linen

I was on a recent trip to Carpenteria to pick up artwork at a show that had ended. I decided that on the way back I would stop and get some pics of the beach at sunset in the very small town of Summerland. To my good fortune there was a group of people ahead of me that ended up making a bonfire. Down at the beaches around Los Angeles you can only make a fire in a pit which is a concrete ring....keeps the ashes out of the sand...sure. It really was very cool to see a fire on the beach without the ring....reminded me of Jaws, the early fire on the beach scene before that girl went off to do some nude swimming and met the shark.
I got some good shots and couldn't wait to try painting a fire....hint, to make the fire bright paint everything around it dark.

This was painted Alla Prima last night into the wee hours.
Enjoy....

4 comments:

Unknown said...

And it really works. You have captured that last light feel perfectly with your close values and the fire is a masterstroke. Beautifully observed.

Ron Guthrie said...

Thanks Mick,
I was fortunate enough to be driving by that small beach just before the sun had set. The clouds in the background were blocking just enough sun to make the light lower which was great for me.

It's not catching the sunlight off of some famous rocks like you got on your workshop but it works for me. hahaha.
Ron

Pete Wenman Art said...

Ron hi

I've just started to follow your blog, but have admired your stuff on Wetcanvas for a long time.

This piece is great with the flame as a centre of interest, but as all ways your choice of colours and values are what I envy.

Ron Guthrie said...

Hi Pete,
Many thanks for the gracious comments. I am a fan of your work too. I remember seeing your progress on the Marine Art forum at WC with the carrier landing painting. Very cool work. I was just over at your site and wanted to congratulate you on the awards that painting brought you. Awesome work Pete.
Thanks again and looking forward to seeing much more of your work.
Ron