New Year’s Eve: Step 1
This next piece I am particularly excited to work on. It will feature a couple looking out at the city on New Years Eve. I came across this thumbnail sketch in an old sketchbook while working on some preliminary ideas for a commission. This composition was not chosen, but I decided I would paint it anyway. This second sketch is a more fully flushed out version that I did for the commission. It is also the one I will use to explain the idea to the models.
New Years is a singularly romantic holiday in the classical sense of the word; reflecting on the past year’s accomplishments combined with excitement and optimism about the year to come. In this composition I will add a romantic element in the contemporary sense with the young couple at the window. I originally intended to have them looking out at the snow falling on the city, since I personally find that to be romantic. However, while discussing the idea with Sara, as I often do, she was amazed that I wasn’t planning on fireworks over the city. Honestly, I can’t believe I didn’t think of that either. It will make a much more dramatic and effective composition, it will represent New Years more clearly, and it will be fun to paint. So the fireworks are in, and the snow is out.
