Frank Mayes 12 Dec 2013

I would enjoy any dialogue positive or negative. Please feel free to speak.

Will Kirkland 13 Dec 2013

Frank: I had not looked at this painting when I replied to the "naked girl" painting. You do enjoy rendering realism. I like your style very much. There is a lot of satisfaction in creating a painting that people look at and say that it looks like a photo. Lots of work, but well worth it. Keep up the great work.

Frank Mayes 13 Dec 2013

LMAO... yaaah ...I do get a little involved with a painting sometimes... but ...it's just the way it works... Cheers

Alan Berkman 14 Dec 2013

I think your work is VERY close to photo realism, but one thing I don't see which would make it REALLY confusing is shadows. As the left side (your right side) of the building is shadowed, than the sun would be shining from your left side, which would cast some shadows, for example, from the railing. Is that correct or just nitpicking?

Frank Mayes 14 Dec 2013

Allan... thanks for the comment. You know a photo never really picks up all the subtle details... but now that you mention it... let me go have a close look at the painting and let me see if I have the sun rising and setting at the same time...LOL

Thanks again.

Frank Mayes 14 Dec 2013

Hey Allan... I had a good look at it... the sun is shining from picture right to picture left... (look at the fire escape and under the entrance...

I have it painted as an overcast day which affords little direct strong shadows.

However...

I think you are right ... it appears that I forgot about the sadows from the rail the old man is leaning on. I'll address that presently.... Thanks FM

rosemary gioielli 14 Dec 2013

Hi Frank , I really like this piece. I wouldn't think it photo realism, you can tell it's a painting. I would say it's really well done realism. Great job !

Frank Mayes 14 Dec 2013

Thanks Rosemary.... I had a lot of time invested in this painting.... so many bricks....LOL... This was an actual place that my Dad went to when he was a kid.... it no longer exists....

Alan Berkman 15 Dec 2013

No prob, glad you accepted my ramblings!

Frank Mayes 16 Dec 2013

Thanks Allan... I just looked at my reference material... the shadows are very light... and almost none existant from the materials I worked from. But I think that possibly just implying a very light shadow would be OK. The sun is shining from about 11:00 into the building... and is almost directly over head.

Tonie Knutz 17 Dec 2013

At first glance I thought this was a photo, then I seen two points that was a little off. The theater sign too crisp and clean in relation to the building. Would expect faded paint, chips in paint or rust. I see grass clumps and weeds growing through cracks. With this new looking fence, perfect up-kept as if it was freshly painted. I do admire the work you have put into this painting. It really is amazing thanks for sharing.

Frank Mayes 17 Dec 2013

Thanks for your imput Tonie.

The sign to me looks well worn... as you note... it's missing half... or are you speaking of the hanging sign...?

Tonie Knutz 17 Dec 2013

Let me try to explain, the red and white theater sign seems to pop out and is a bit distracting. And maybe should blend in with the age and condition of the building. The white, red and the two yellow horizontal yellow lines to the left of the sign appears too bright. I only mention these things because I see all the detail you have put into the bricks and feel that you may not have realized in this painting, if one was to assign layers to it as how it catches the eyes. The first thing I see would be the sign second the fence, third the person forth the building and fifth the little person next to the building. Or this might have been what you’ve intended all along. However the only thing really that maters is how it appears to you. And did it come out the way you wanted it to…

Frank Mayes 25 Dec 2013

You know.... I went back and looked at my reference photos .... and you are absolutely right. I’m in process of “ageing” the sign now.... I’ll post a photo of the adjustments later.

Gail Caduff-Nash 07 Jan 2014

You are a very good painter. I think Tonie has some good points. You can go over something like the signage with a thin wash of brownish color - not even color it much - and age it. Or dry brush some "junk" over it a bit. Doesn't take much. It's hard to know if you want the surrealistic look or the photographic look. It's not good to rely on photos too much - once you have your basic stuff down, reach into your brain and 'see' the rest ;) It's really good on any level though. I get lost in doing basketry sometimes - similar to bricks. btw, a Cleveland artist friend did good business painting old buildings from the city - old steel mills, old restaurants, etc.

Frank Mayes 08 Jan 2014

Gail... you make very good and observations and comments. I have gone back and “aged” the sign some... as to the shadow comments from some one earlier... The sky is overcast to the point that there was virtually now shadow that day... and as I recall.. it was almost noon when I shot the photos that I worked from.

Keep the comments coming... would love to drink a cup of coffee with you and talk about painting...ideas... not too many people around “Hickey, North Cackalateceeburg” to talk to... or at least not many that have any real insight into painting or art.

Frank Mayes 13 Jan 2014

I've aged the old American Theatre sign as was suggested.... Thanks

Tonie Knutz 15 Jan 2014

The sign is in harmony with the building now Good job aging it.

Frank Mayes 15 Jan 2014

Thanks Tonie... I think it looks better also

Gail Caduff-Nash 07 Feb 2014

Yes, that looks good. Have a cup on me ;)