Rialto Bridge

OK, let’s get to work on that sunset sky. Purples are made of Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson + White. Then Cadmium Red Light + more White is added to some of the mix for that sun warmed glow. My first inclination is to make the sky lighter toward the horizon and darker at the top.

But I quickly realize the lights in the lamp post will show much better with the darker sky behind them. So I repaint the sky making the lower part on the left darker and let the setting sun illuminate the clouds in the upper right behind the Rialto Hotel. With my wrist braced against a mahl stick to steady my hand the lamps are drawn into the wet paint of the sky. To find out more about our mahl stick CLICK HERE.

The Rialto Bridge is one of Venice’s most famous landmarks. If you have ever been to that incredible city you’ve probably walked across the ancient structure. The well lit central archway glows against the early evening sky. Artists who paint work on a two dimensional surface, paper or canvas, attempting to make it appear three dimensional. There are several techniques used to help give the painting depth. One of the most simple rules is Warm Colors come forward, Cool colors recede. Following this rule the most distant portion of the bridge, the right side, is made bluer so it will recede. The left side is painted a bit warmer to make it visually come forward.

Before finishing the railings I paint the buildings lining the canal on the far side of the bridge that can be seen through the opening. This is done in a very loose technique to give the impression of structures and bright lights in the background. I’ll save the detail for the Hotel that is closer to us on the right of the bridge.  This is another one of those basic but very important rules: Objects closer to the viewer are more detailed. Please remember, if you would like to see any of these pictures larger just click on the image. Thanks for visiting the studio today, hope you will come back tomorrow. Hugs, Mikki Senkarik

To receive an email every time I publish a new post please feel free to subscribe to my blog. CLICK THIS LINK and scroll to the upper right side of the page. You will see a heading EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Just enter your email address and click the button “Sign me up!”  It’s easy. And if you enjoy my blog please CLICK the FaceBook LIKE Button. Thank you.