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Shady business



Shady Business
watercolor on Fabriano paper
23 x 30.5cm / 9" x 12"



 The inspiration for this painting came from a photograph I took last summer as I waited for a bus. A striking character came along with a stack of colorful cowboy style hats for sale. He plopped them on the ground in front of him, naturally yelling out "Due euro" ( two euros) every few seconds.

I couldn't help but watch him as he provided a little comical relief from my endless waiting. I discreetly snapped a photo as he looked the other way, he seemed rather impatient to sell his hats and did not stop looking around nervously. I love the long shadows the sun makes at that early hour, I wished to portray the sense of chaos of the busy street corner.

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I was very happy to hear your sketchbook stories!

In case any one is interested, I would like to share the link I found helpful in making my Coptic sketchbook. I find her instructions very clear and I substituted some of the tools she uses for things I have around my house without a problem, such as the dental floss ! :-)

Sea Lemon is the name of her You Tube channel, she offers tutorials on bookbinding (including a Moleskin style notebook) and other random ideas.

Have a great day!





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Comments

  1. Olivier Violin16 June 2014 at 13:26

    J'aime cette lumière intense et ces belles nuances de bleu.
    Félicitations chère Celia!
    Bonne semaine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco18 June 2014 at 13:35

      Thank you Olivier, your kind comment means more than you know!

      Delete
  2. Debbie Nolan16 June 2014 at 19:31

    Celia - what a great painting...you have captured life and because you were there and took the picture you made this story come alive. You caught those shadows so well too. Going to go check out Sea Lemon - thank you so much for sharing. Hope you have a wonderful painting/creative week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco18 June 2014 at 13:36

      Thank you Debbie! It just warms my heart to read your comment, so happy you like the painting!

      Delete
  3. Judy16 June 2014 at 20:55

    I love the light and the shadows, Celia! I had a look at that Coptic sketchbook, that looks really hard to do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco18 June 2014 at 13:38

      Thank you Judy! It isn't easy but she shows you clearly and I stopped the video as I did the different steps. I think if I do it again and again then it will be easy!

      Delete
  4. Jane17 June 2014 at 00:08

    I like the story and you portrayed it perfectly ! The figure with the shadow is awesome ...and he has a defying attitude , love it !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco18 June 2014 at 13:59

      I'm so happy I managed to get my idea across, your feedback helps me a lot, Jane, thank you!

      Delete
  5. Lorraine Brown17 June 2014 at 02:15

    You have captured the scene you described s very well. Love the ose of the hat seller. Loose background perfect too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco18 June 2014 at 13:59

      Thank you Lorraine! I appreciate your comment!

      Delete
  6. Debi Hinshaw17 June 2014 at 03:12

    I like the way you captured this scene, the man is standing in a way that tells the story as you describe. I like the shadows and light in this one as well. A creative painting Celia....well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco18 June 2014 at 17:22

      I appreciate having your feedback Debi! Have a great day!

      Delete
  7. Unknown17 June 2014 at 12:51

    They say a picture tells a thousand words and that is certainly the case in this study, Celia. Love the long shadows and posture of the hat seller. You have captured a moment in time so well and so amusingly...this painting certainly makes me smile!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco18 June 2014 at 17:23

      It really makes me happy my idea is coming across well, thanks for your kind feedback Michelle! Hope all is well

      Delete
  8. Tito17 June 2014 at 13:42

    Un controluce decisamente interessante e dai forti contrasti. Mi piace la posa del venditore di cappelli. Ben fatto, Celia.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Joan Tavolott17 June 2014 at 23:43

    I love the story to this painting and the drama from your shadows!!! Great job.

    Thanks for the link to the video of how to make the sketchbook. I'm going to save this until I have time to make one, and also post it to my sketch group on Facebook.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco18 June 2014 at 17:26

      I'm happy you like the painting and find the link helpful! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  10. art by Michael Perchard18 June 2014 at 01:00

    Great art here Celia and wonderful story to match! So nice to hear the tale behind the work!
    Love the way you handled the human form! Love the painterly effect. Colors are beautiful!
    As always another gem my friend!
    So glad you are painting!
    Take care buddy!
    Michael

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco18 June 2014 at 17:32

      Hi Michael! I was worried about the figure looking odd but it seems like it is being read the way I hoped. I do love to paint, just wish I could find more time to do it! Thanks for your sweet comment and visit!

      Delete
  11. Helen H Trachy18 June 2014 at 16:33

    Lovely scene Celia and quite lively! This is fun, I'm sure you had a good time painting this one. Bisous

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco18 June 2014 at 17:33

      Thanks for your comment Helen! I'm happy I finally painted it, it was on my list for a while. Take care

      Delete
  12. hmuxo19 June 2014 at 03:13

    I love this painting, Celia!! I as well, carry my camera with me all the time...one never knows when that perfect moment comes along....and we don't want to miss it..lol I love the long shadows and colorful outfits ....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco23 June 2014 at 18:42

      Thanks Hilda! I'm happy to know it's not just me then.;-)

      Delete
  13. Wendy Barrett21 June 2014 at 11:42

    Wow, what a great painting Celia! You've really captured his nervy energy and I love the way the light falls on his hat. His great stance, shows that you have a talent for painting people! Thanks for the link for making sketchbooks too! She really makes things very clear. Great post Celia!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia Blanco23 June 2014 at 18:45

      Thank you so much Wendy! I'm happy to know it comes across as I had hoped.
      It would be wonderful if your daughter offered a tutorial for us too! Have a wonderful time in England!

      Delete
  14. Kev's Art23 June 2014 at 11:26

    You've caught the busy nature of the street and I really love the contrasts in this picture, it's got punch. Nice job!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Unknown25 June 2014 at 13:48

    This is such a cool painting, Celia! You conveyed that exact atmosphere that you wrote about... the hot day, the shadows on the ground, the man looking around excitedly... I love how you did this!

    ReplyDelete

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