Wednesday, August 4, 2010

THE PAINTING INSIDE DOESN'T MATCH THE PAINTING OUTSIDE

Wherein lies the weak link when the painting inside your head doesn't match the painting you create on your paper or canvas?

There was a missing link here. This was something to piddle with while waiting for inspiration (or lack of fear) to kick in on the deck chairs no. 3 painting. I think I had no clear idea how to do the water...so did it last. (So I guess I've answered my own question about where the disconnect lies - in the planning of the WHOLE painting before beginning to touch that paint.) The water should be darker, more watery, and have more movement against the static pads and stems and shadows.
Oh, sometimes I think I just paint and shut off my brain as soon as I pick up the brush. I think I'll try this one again, with much darker water and much lighter stems and pads.
Perhaps there's something percolating inside that wants to come out but isn't quite making the connection...
Oh, well, today I'll go see Deb Ward at the watercolor society meeting where she'll demo and talk about how she works with casein. I think I'll stay and paint along with her and some others after the meeting, just to see how it works. I've never used it but she does wonderful, glowing paintings with them, using a glazing technique.

9 comments:

Deb Léger said...

How 'bout a few spatters of paint colour, like pinks and reds and maybe some blues (spattered on with maybe a toothbrush) and then maybe a few spatters of graphic white? Sometimes it's fun to just play around and not plan.

Kathy Wirth said...

Don't think stems, leaves and water, but shapes and values!

Gretchen Bjornson ART said...

Sometimes it's helpful to just play and not plan, but take notes as to the discoveries you make along the way.

RH Carpenter said...

Deb, I want some rich, deep darks like you have in your acrylic painting! I seem to either go too dark right away or be unable to sneak up on th darks later...You're right about playing, not stressing over it.

Kathy, yep, I KNOW THIS but I have to communicate using these words so people know what I'm talking about :) And, of course, knowing and doing are two different things.

Ah, I seem to have lost my playfulness lately. I'm blaming this horrible heat wave - and I'm not doing the can-can! ha ha

Deb Léger said...

well, how about using some fluid acrylics to get the darks?

Lisa Walsh said...

I'm constantly creating masterpieces in my head, my hands just won't listen! Maybe what hit the paper wasn't exactly what was in your thoughts, but I really like this piece! It's has a great abstract feel to it, and wonderful cool colors. I agree with Gretchen, along with 'paint, paint, paint', you should 'play, play, play'.

Mary Sonya conti said...

difference of an hour. Would love to attend Deb's Demo and paint with you all. Tell her said Hi and (love your deck chairs)!

Suzanne McDermott said...

I just love this piece! Enjoy your drive out and visit with Deb and all the creative development along the way.

RH Carpenter said...

Deb, I like the idea of the fluid acrylics. I will either do that - or just start anew. Seems like I'm always starting anew lately!!

Thanks, Lisa and Suzanne :)

Sonya, hey, girl how are you doing?? Good to hear from you. Yep, it would be one long drive for you - it's almost an hour for me!