Train Bridge #2

By: Tanya M. Green
6” x 6“ Acrylic on Canvas Panel
Study #23 - 1.6.2022
SOLD

I’ve been wanting to get back and finish my 30 acrylic studies goal from 2020 for some time now. All this snow has prevented me from finishing the Falmouth ES mural that I’ve been working on the past few months. However, it did give me some time to work in my home studio again.

I decided to paint the train bridge using the same photo reference that I used for my first study. The first painting was done back in September of 2020. I wanted to see how I would translate the same image after a year and four months of constant painting. What would be the same? What would be different? 

I can’t remember if on the first painting, I worked from a printed image or from an image on my computer screen. This time I worked from a printed image and I think it limited my ability to see some detail, especially in reflection of the water. The painted shapes of the highlights in the water reflections are very different. The printed image muddles out my ability to see value shifts as well. I think I’ll be working from my screens moving forward.

Another big different is the way I recreated objects with shape and color. My individual painting style has evolved since September. In the first painting, I strictly used round brushes. On this painting, I used only flat brushes. Initially I remember being concerned with trying to get the sunset exact and the trees just perfect. But now, I like to break down objects into more angular shapes and solid areas of color. I’m less concerned with trying to make the painting feel photorealistic and more driven to interpret an image into how I see the world.

I also used soft acrylics on this painting instead of heavy acrylics. I wanted to experiment and see if I preferred one over the other. The verdict isn’t out quite yet. I think I need to do some more work with them before I make a final call. But at this point, I feel like I’ll probably end up working with both. I like to keep my options open.