Friday, February 8, 2013

HOW NOW



The little black calf continues.  Working on getting good, varied darks.


Since I'm not that happy with the wall behind him, I think I'll crop it closer.  (Why am I not happy with the wall?  Because it's too heavy with pigment.  Should have left it pure white with splatters and cracks only to define it.  A lesson learned...)

Now to do something light against dark for class...

I need to search through my paintings done last year and choose 2 entries for the 120th Annual Juried Exhibition for the Woman's Art Club of Cincinnati (WACC).  Early bird deadline is Feb. 15th and they are taking cds now instead of the artist taking their entries in, leaving them, going to pick them up (one or both) when the judging is over.  Much better, except for those who know nothing about creating jpegs and putting them on cds.  Everyone is being forced into the 21st Century, whether they like it or not.  If I have anything good enough, it will be small.  I haven't tried anything large for a while.  It's always interesting to look back at work you did a year ago and critique it with a less impassioned eye.  You know, you always are so attached and committed to a work when you've just finished it that it does you no good to critique it then - you should wait a month or two or three before looking at it again and really seeing if it's good or bad or if there is something it lacks.  I've found that what my previous year's work lacks is...wait for it!!...good dark values!! ha ha  Which is something that can easily be remedied, after the fact.

Take a look at your work from last year.  What works?  What doesn't?  What would you change to make it better?  Which pieces are your favorites, and why?  It's a good thing to do this once in a while with your own work, looking at it as if someone else painted it.  Then think about it hanging on a wall with other artwork in a show - would your piece have the power to make you walk over to it or would you just walk right by? 

Have a wonderfully creative weekend. 
And for those in the northeast of the U.S.:  Keep safe amidst the snowstorm that is coming your way.  Batten down the hatches and make sure you have plenty of food and drink, and something good to read when the power goes off.  Keep warm, think of it as a retreat from the world for a few days until they dig you out and clear and roads. 



4 comments:

Autumn Leaves said...

You could save the wall, if you are so inclined by making it brick? See, I don't even trust my own instincts so maybe I should trust yours! LOL Good luck with the judging!

RH Carpenter said...

I think I'm done with this one, Sherry, and will work harder on the next on to get the wall looking more believable - lesson learned! The hardest part about the entries is choosing 2 you think will appeal to the judge and are your best works right now from the previous year's paintings. I realized I haven't been painting as many paintings for myself and need to get back to that - but am in the usual winter slump until spring.

Debbie Nolan said...

Dear Rhonda - what great advice about revisiting work from the previous year. It does give one insight into what didn't work and what might in the future. I am with you friend when it comes to darks in watercolor. They are so hard for me. Thanks for sharing as always. Thinking as well of all those in the NE as well. God Bless.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Debbie. Revisiting work is a good thing - leave yourself a few months and then look with fresh eyes. I think I need to redo this thing - so much I don't like about it, I used it today with my students as a guide on "what NOT to do!" ha ha