Casa Rio- Riverwalk, 16"x16" oil, Sold


I started this painting last year and only today put it back up on the easel.
I worked hard not to treat every figure like a portrait, and keep a rather impressionist feel. I missed that mark to some degree, but I'm pleased with the result anyway.
This restaurant is a block from my gallery and is the iconic restaurant of San Antonio. Every painter is compelled to paint these umbrellas. I've done it myself three or four times. I may do it again several more. I've fed many a duck from my table along the rail....

11 comments:

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Susan,

I think you've done a great job. Each person is a portrait whether they're abstract or realistic in treatment. Each figure here has personality, which draws us into the work. Super.

xoxoxoxox

Barbara

Gaye Sekula: Impressions said...

Very nice painting!

Rosemary said...

I agree with Barbara that each person is a portrait with personality no matter how vague. It's the play of light and shadow that I love in this one! Another WOW!

Jo Castillo said...

Very nice. Great remembrance of the River Walk. Such a nice place to sit and watch people, etc. You did well.

Gwen Bell said...

Great painting, Susan! I love all those beautifully vivid umbrellas (that orange rim on the pink one is my favorite). How lucky you are to be around the corner from this scene! I appreciate the fact that you didn't try to put detail in the faces. The gestures say it all. I think more detail would have distracted from the overall relaxed feeling of the work. Great job as usual!

Mark Bridges said...

Hi Susan, this looks wonderful.

Anonymous said...

I think it works well. The light spilling onto the scene is yummy.

Marian Fortunati said...

Nicely done, Susan, as always..
It's so hard to achieve a casual look ... not making the figures look stiff and unnatural... You always do it so beautifully... Great shade and light too.

José Carrilho (Go Detail) said...

Hi,

I've started painting quite recently, but I guess that I won't go wrong when I say this this kind of work is not for everyone.
It may seem somewhat simple when looking at first gaze, but I can asure that it is not.
At least that's my opinion.
Awesome work !

Best regards,

José

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

This is a wonderful outdoor dining scene. The figures read so well without being overdone. It is sometimes hard to get them to read right with so little information. Strong temptation to keep adding detail. Nice job fighting it off.

I've been enjoying watching you paint and chat from time to time. Thanks

Regina Calton Burchett said...

Susan - This is such a great painting - the colors are just right, not too soft nor too bold - and I love how you handled the light and shadows, and the one figure in the sunlight. I hope you continue to do the umbrellas - I've loved every one of them!

Regina