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Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The Grand Bazaar

Kapali Carsi 2, watercolor on Arches CP, 38 x 28 cm
Kapali Carsi, charcoal sketch
The busy galleries of Kapali Carsi - the grand bazaar in Istanbul - is not an easy subject. I wanted to convey the abundance of shapes and colors without getting bogged down in fussy details. So, I started with a charcoal sketch to establish the areas of light and dark. Then painted it a couple of times. This is the second version, which came out a bit fresher and with better positioning of the figures, but not significantly different from the first version. As it happens usually when I repaint something, there is a different picture in my head, but my hands keep doing the same thing all over again.

Below is the first attempt
Kapali Carsi 1, watercolor on Arches CP, 38 x 28 cm

12 comments:

Isabelle said...

voila une belle mise en application du stage que tu as suivi,bravo

Judy said...

The top one is definitely better than the first one, in my opinion. I see more unity and harmony. A really difficult subject, and I love to see the stages. Beautiful painting, Blaga!

Lydie said...

Le spectateur entre plus facilement dans ta dernière version, mais que le sujet choisi est difficile. Une belle tentative où le stage récemment suivi est joliment mis en pratique. Bisous.

Blaga said...

Mreci, Isabelle et Lydie, pour votre commentaires! Vous avez raison, je suis encore très largement sous l'influence du stage, qui m'a appris comment interpréter certaines scènes, que je n'avais pas le courage d'approcher avant.

Thank you, Judy, I'm glad that you find an improvement in the second version. Although, it isn't what I had in mind, it's a good attempt and I'm happy I tried it.

Debbie Nolan said...

I think you did a wonderful job with both but the top one seems much more vibrant. Very lovely. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week-end.

Jane said...

I really love both versions with a little preference for the first one . I like the blue dots on the left, and the colors seem brighter, but great work...not an easy subject !

vermeer said...

both looks nice!

Tito said...

Ciao Blaga, vedo che stai scegliendo soggetti difficili e impegnativi. Effetto Alvaro? Complimenti per le due versioni, veramente mi è difficile dire quale preferisco. Direi per l'esecuzione e per i colori l'ultima, per la luce la prima. Abbraccio.

Rita Vaselli said...

Dear Blaga, I love colors and motion in your both watercolor and the drama of the beautiful tonal study.
Have nice week end and happy painting!!!

Catharina Engberg said...

The second painting is better, because the eyes are more drawn to the center of the painting as it has more of the warm colours there in the center. In the first painting you have some warn colours to the left, and it draw the eyes to this point more. Lovely painting!!

renate said...

Hello dear Blaga:) I was walking in my blog role and saw this post of yours. I had not seen it before. These are fantastic watercolors and also the charcoal drawing is quite nice. I love the shadows of the people. I couldn't pick between the first and second watercolor but I read now that you yourself also think there's not much difference between. Nicely done. Great art! Hugs:) xx

JANE MINTER said...

you are working really hard blaga ... it's a difficult and stunning subject ...i really like the brightness you've captured