This is the fifth painting in the serie of the Amazons. This works deals with an equestrian figure in motion. Composition is drawn on a graphic tablet, as for the other paintings of this serie.
Silhouette In homage to Frazetta, the silhouette takes the shape of a triangle. The movement is caused by the position of the horse, in imbalance on its right.
Adjusting the character The character is ajusted, placed a little on her back to accompany the movement of the horse. I hesitated on the face, and retained a warrior cry to add intensity to the picture.
Backgrounds Let us bring some perspective on a character who is seen from the front and who might seem flat. For this purpose, I use two strong diagonals, and bring some field depth with two more riders, whose size decreases on the principle of a spiral.
Motion For better consistency, Characters at the background are set to motion, while the main rider gets a more neutral expression.
Details On this black and white version, I have a worked out details, and brightness to render a backlight. Character are adjusted, riders and horses.
Colour The coloring is done with a dedicated layer applied on memorised selections of the black and white layer. This is to give an idea, since the goal is to watercolor.
Watercolour
Watercolour
Ciel I start with the sky, which under a blue major colour, will integrate the 3 primary colors. Everything must remain very bright.
The secondary characters The secondary characters are as important to the harmony of the table as the color balance. They are difficult to achieve because smaller, obviously.
The values of the main character I can trustfully grow the values of the main character and of her horse. I'll reach to black, so strong colors are juxtaposed on the blue background.
Background I precise the background, including the riders. I introduce primary red and pink, 3 color to balance and energize all.
The main character, step 2 I pass to the main character, much more contrasted. I face some trouble on the shades of body of the Amazon, I'll see later how to manage it.
Final With the foreground, I finish the painting. I use masking gum, plus some patience, to create the impression of a windswept grass.
Zooms
Details of the painting
Sky details On this part of the picture, I show the variations of the sky which comprehends all the colors of the painting. The sky melts into the mountains on the background; Another committed position, the lines of planes that are oblique rather than horizontal.
Secondary characters The secondary characters have asserted colors but blend into the vegetation which is colorful, although the green dominates. This freedom in color range is permitted by a strict palette, with virtually contains only 4 colors (burnt sienna, alizarin red, cobalt blue, yellow aureolin).
Grass I hesitated between a lot of options for the foreground, and I chose to use only two colors, but by contrasting shapes to create movement without challenging the main character.
