It might be a mistake to use unique colors for the eyes--or, really, for any part of the painting for that matter.
Using the surrounding palette on the eyes might make the painting feel more confusing. That might be a good thing. There might still be room for a unique tone in the eyes, but I will have to experiment.
The same thought process had me remove the dark blue / black and replace it with cobalt green. It was more confusing, but I just couldn't give it enough teeth without that dark blue tone. It never felt very strong, and I suppose that doesn't mean it wasn't working. It wasn't working for me. Maybe everyone else would have loved it. I will never know.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Friday, February 17, 2017
Patience
Flip it upside down. The shapes will be more true to life. The brush movements are limited by your hand--flipping the painting upside down opens things up. The movements are still limited by your hand, but now those movements are upside down, and the whole painting looks more diverse as a result.
It might take months. It might take years before this one is finished.
I think in Tropic of Cancer Henry Miller was describing the internet when he describes the book he'll write to change the world.
It might be done in a few minutes. There's discord in the background.
I'm trying to understand this new process as it develops. Is this sketching? No, it's more like therapy. I'm just trying to be present with what's happening in front of me. I'm trying to observe. I'm trying not to control. I'm trying too much.
Paint. Notice the paint, the texture, the shape, the color, the interactions. Paint. Notice. Paint. Notice.I suppose what I'm actually doing is painting, noticing, and waiting for acceptance. The painting is finished when I reach acceptance.
It might take months. It might take years before this one is finished.
I think in Tropic of Cancer Henry Miller was describing the internet when he describes the book he'll write to change the world.
It might be done in a few minutes. There's discord in the background.
I'm trying to understand this new process as it develops. Is this sketching? No, it's more like therapy. I'm just trying to be present with what's happening in front of me. I'm trying to observe. I'm trying not to control. I'm trying too much.
Paint. Notice the paint, the texture, the shape, the color, the interactions. Paint. Notice. Paint. Notice.I suppose what I'm actually doing is painting, noticing, and waiting for acceptance. The painting is finished when I reach acceptance.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
It's taking too long
I've been working on this cat for months. I started it before I moved into this house. I have the feeling I started it over on WSD, but could have been before that. Months. And moves.
There is a painting I started more than 10 years ago. Maybe around 2003, I would guess. It's the bald guy with the horns. I think I'll finish it someday.
This one is different. I have been actively working on it for months. To be fair, there have been weeks that I haven't painted at all. And there have been tons of days I have only worked on it for a few minutes. But there have been plenty of days I have poured hours into it. It's been on the brink of completion several times--well, twice. Maybe three times. Lately the end has seemed close, but today, just minutes ago, I realized the destination of this process is quite a lot of work away.
I have some thoughts about it. A painting shouldn't take this long. I'm forcing it, I'm not doing it right. I'm too relaxed, I'm not technically skilled enough. I should pay more attention to the details. It should be more detailed. It is too detailed. I'm a terrible painter. I'm embarrassing myself. I'm wasting my time. It is unrealistic to believe that I could paint something worthwhile.
Have the thoughts, continue painting.
The truth is that I'm not just painting a cat, I'm developing a style, I'm discovering a process. This painting does not look like paintings I have done before. Maybe it will be trash. Maybe this process makes things terrible.
More thoughts, continue painting.
Type up some stuff to avoid painting.
There is a painting I started more than 10 years ago. Maybe around 2003, I would guess. It's the bald guy with the horns. I think I'll finish it someday.
This one is different. I have been actively working on it for months. To be fair, there have been weeks that I haven't painted at all. And there have been tons of days I have only worked on it for a few minutes. But there have been plenty of days I have poured hours into it. It's been on the brink of completion several times--well, twice. Maybe three times. Lately the end has seemed close, but today, just minutes ago, I realized the destination of this process is quite a lot of work away.
I have some thoughts about it. A painting shouldn't take this long. I'm forcing it, I'm not doing it right. I'm too relaxed, I'm not technically skilled enough. I should pay more attention to the details. It should be more detailed. It is too detailed. I'm a terrible painter. I'm embarrassing myself. I'm wasting my time. It is unrealistic to believe that I could paint something worthwhile.
Have the thoughts, continue painting.
The truth is that I'm not just painting a cat, I'm developing a style, I'm discovering a process. This painting does not look like paintings I have done before. Maybe it will be trash. Maybe this process makes things terrible.
More thoughts, continue painting.
Type up some stuff to avoid painting.
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