[cptoonz]

Hi,

That's unfortunated about the clean/prep costs...aren't those houses right next to the garage, though? Shouldn't somebody come in to at least keep contaminants/pollutants out of the surrounding areas? Oh, hell I don't know, I digress...

The art: I really like your ink drawing a little better than the final painting, intending no offense there ...did you "project" the ink on the canvas to paint...how did you paint over the ink lines, I guess is what I am asking. Again, I am only curious as to how you work, and I am not trying to imply anything...I say all that because folks can get mighty touchy around here about tracing and such...one of many reasons I don't post here much anymore...so blah blah blah, as though anyone cares....

Point is its a nice painting, and IMHO, an appropriate use of a photo reference, etc, etc...and your final idea to turn the place into a home is a cool one, regardless. Sorry for the novel

[Basement bound]

cp- Unfortuanatly it is on a designated list that whom ever purchases the land is required to clean up the contaminats(gas in the ground).

As for the art. The 'ink' one is acutally a pencil drawing just played with the curves in ps. Because i was working with water colours I used carbon paper and transfered the drawing onto the watercolour paper. I have noticed some perspective problems, so likely I will be doing this again. I have found it hard with water colours to be difined. Any one have some tips?

[cptoonz]

Thanks for the info, BB...and I was afraid of that. Someone irresponsible enough to pollute the land is probably not responsible enough to pay for clean up...ah well, I will spare all the "up on a soap box tirade"... but while I am here, I will offer what I know on watercolors.

They do require a lot of "control", if you will. In my limited experience with them, one technique that may help you define things is to take a clean brush, wet with clear water and then wet the area of one color. Then with a seperate brush go in with the color you want for that shape/area/ etc. At least two brushes (at least for me) are essential because of the speed required for the process. This may help you define things a little better. Basically the color will spread through the wet area, and should not bleed beyond the wet area. Also, it can be hard to avoid the splotchy look that happens then certain areas of color dry before you paint more in...this results in a texture your probably not going for...So you do want to think ahead several steps and work quickly and steadily through those steps to get the desired color consistency. I hope that helps, someone may know a better method, though, and I'm all "ears" as well

[Basement bound]

Alright so I found this old garage, It would be sweet for a house/appartment. I have investigate and it would cost too much. The ground is contaminated and would cost like $CND 100,000 just too clean up the ground and remove the old gas tanks. But I wanted you all to see what I envisioned. Here is a steps from photo-sketch-linedrawing-Watercolour.

[dontfallin]

how did you find out about it?

[Basement bound]

Well I found out about it by scouting and I do alot of driving in the city. Edmonton was founded in like 1904 so we are kinda young and the alternative housing is limited. I found it one day at work, while I was sniffing around for info, a guy I work for said he knows the guy who owns it. The owner who is not on the up and up(incarserated at he moment) has had it up for sale before. I could in actuality get it for like 60,000, resonable exepet when he told me for the clean up. I called some clean up excavators and they knew about the address and said I should expect like 100,000 for clean up(we are talking about the main street, neighbours land the whole 9 yards). Right there my dreams went down the flusher. I keep looking, but for that money I could build a replica. mmmmmmmmmm.... that gives me an idea.

Ja

[dontfallin]

I want somthing like that but I dont know how in hell I'd find it I would never be able to aford the clean up either. do you know anything about abandoned houses and how to get them??

[Basement bound]

Well, it is an search and destroy method. Take a city map and look into older areas. Look for old gas stations, corner stores, small warehouses. Alot of times there will be a lease or for sale sign on empty ones. If not you can go to the city and request info on the owner, they still have to pay taxes on the property. Some places are zoned as a commercial lot and it will take a little work to change it to residential. Good Luck.

Any one have other comments about the watercolour piece?

[dontfallin]

the street curb bothers me some....but other than that I like it. thanks for the info