Today I'm writing about a painting I have been working on and some of the pitfalls I have experienced whilst doing it. Plus don't miss the link to a great short film about some
abstract artists on BBC iplayer - see bottom of post
It started as a commissioned idea from my husband, a large abstract painting, featuring certain colours- Here's how it started
My husband likes the suggested implication of a seascape. Hmmm... here is where I start going wrong and the dreaded disconnect happens. The points on the train track have been switched and I am now going in a different direction.....watch what happens
By this stage I walk into my studio and realise I have two separate paintings on the go (both in style and intention!) roughly splitting the painting top and bottom. I like the bottom, not the top. At this stage there is a choice -start again or try to get back on track.
Here I aim to introduce tonal variety in the foreground and at this point I think the rest of it is not working at all (ghastly!)
Now I have to do something - I sand down half the painting (I have been using a palette knife and there is too much texture in the overworked parts)
I reclaim the empty space top right and get back into the more gestural mark making
Now I use bits of paper to assess the changes I need to make. A useful tool.
Great I can see there's scope here now. So calling over the benefits of the experience
1. When I start something I need plenty of uninterrupted time to stay on track
2. Be brave, know when it's wrong or cant be saved, start again
3. Don't listen to anybody else !
I will post the finished painting at another time.
Here is the link to the film if this does not work copy and paste it into your browser - its worth it (its on bbc four archive)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00b67hh/artists-on-film-scenes-from-working-lives-episode-5
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