"Everybody knows a work of art takes at least an hour!" Lucy to Linus, (Peanuts)

FineArtViews Painting Competition - Twice in the Fav 15%

http://canvoo.com/boldbrush/badge/13203 three times selected for FAV15%, Fine Art Views Bold Brush Painting Competition

Friday, April 20, 2012

Taking the time to "sleep on it."


       Taking the time to "sleep on it" is a useful technique for me when I am encountering a problem, including problems on the canvas. I was not happy with what was going on in the lower part of this painting; see below:


       That reddish brown section just wasn't working and I realized that even when I finish all the fringe and doodads it is still going to look less than stellar.
The whole thing was also looking like it had vertical overkill. And I wanted the light to come in behind the fringe looping up by the hands...not the dark background colour...the transition from lighter to darker in the colour of the fringe in that area would give it far more interest...I love variations in colour and value and blendings of these from one to another. I also intend to have the legs mostly covered by the long hanging fringe, with only hints of skin tone showing through. I didn't want the leg colours to be blending with the background colour and disappearing, though.

     The newer, lighter background in the lower portion is not yet finished...there will be small echoes of light, blurred florals, and the whole colour should fade slightly near the bottom, perhaps be a bit darker. All of it will be slightly out of focus bringing the eye back to the top. I hope.

       This happens to me for every painting, I swear. I think I have all my ideas worked out and then I find out that I don't. It was an illusion. Suddenly, often quite near completion, I have to figure out what in the world to do to bring the painting to final fruition. So I have to sleep on it and hope I wake with an answer.


7 comments:

  1. I have to say your painting is gorgeous so far. Looks like a photograph.

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  2. Karen this is truly stunning. You paint people beautifully, the most exquisite compositions full of light and beauty. I like the side panel flowers toned down as you have done. Keeps the focus where it should be and yet still lends interest that makes me think of the Victorian times and wonder at the life back then.

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  3. That happens to me on nearly every painting too! But I do really, really love this Karen. That light on her neck and shoulder is fantastic. ANd I love that we can't see her face, there's something very relatable to her that way.

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  4. Hello, Karen! I please met you on the blog of Gloria, Ondedacqua.
    I like your blog ... I even sleep on my watercolors and sometimes I have more than one night!

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  5. BEAUTIFUL! Such a romantic piece and excellently executed Karen.

    And thanks for your comment on my blog:)

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  6. Very impressive work on the garments transparency. I am trying hard to get back into the painting "zone" Close now thanks to blogs like this. Even got my brushes out..those not whipped by my son! Oh, and ban the dogs from the car!! My family has just done a 600km journey with 2 dogs in the car. NEVER again! Hair, spit, drool barking insanely at EVERY passing dog, donkey, cow....

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  7. Thanks again for such nice comments! Very nice to meet two new followers also; hello to Rita and archi.

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