Sometimes you have to make changes, after the fact, to a painting. It helps to take other artists' suggestions, if you can see the value in those suggestions.
For this one, Mick Carney said the plate was floating - it needed a horizontal line.
He was right. I didn't even see that and no one else has mentioned it - I think they were all too focused on the wonky shape of the plate! ha ha
So, I put in the edge of the table in this one. It's not done and it won't be, even though I fiddled with this one more (putting in a touch of pink on the white skin of the pear, lightening some of the knife handle and metal). I'll redo this one, trying to get the plate more even in the next version. The goal is to get another one of this with the plate okay and the sense of space okay and the pear and knife looking more 3 dimensional.
Began again. Had the photo so used it, in black and white, to get the shapes right on the paper. First, I traced the photo on tracing paper, then used that tracing paper to trace it again onto the watercolor paper. I had the shape of the plate right in the drawing. But it's gotten a bit out of line on the right side from painting. I think I can clean up that edge - or just leave it.
I am painting this one on 1/8 sheet watercolor (Saunders Waterford, which has a warm tint) with the idea of drizzling down the front of the page later. And I'm not going as dark with the background on this one, leaving it light and airy.
10 comments:
Love the look of the fruit and that knife, especially. Been so long since I've visited that I need to catch up on all you've been doing.
isn't it wonderful that we have this little community to share our work with and get ideas from
Glad I was able to make a sensible contribution and it has made a difference. I think you already have a good painting it'll be interesting to see how you make your second image.
Coming along nicely. I like your thinking of keeping it light and airy but also like how the pear popped from the background in the original. Hmmm... this will take your special touch!
I really like your ability to critique yourself. Your plate in the retry is lovely!
Its always valuable to have other eyes look at my work. They see so much more than I can.
Ellipses are torture to get right, aren't they? I had a trick of drawing a box around them to ensure they were symmetrical. I must see if I can find a link to a demo for the technique, its quite useful.
Like it even more now, Rhonda. Your second start is looking fabulous too!
Thanks, Ann. I'm taking my time with the rework so I don't get that plate too wonky! haha
Sharon, this is a great place to get tips - sometimes blogger buddies just say the good things but I like it when new eyes come in and see something that needs fixed!
Thanks, Mick! Your keen eyes were great to help with this one.
Thanks, Pam, the pear will have more pop when you see it again :)
Thanks, Vicki, Jeanette and Sherry! Jeanette, I think I remember that tip you gave. One would think that tracing it would keep the lines correct but in putting on paint, those lines sometimes get a little out of shape!
Love your pear! The blue and green together produce real magic. Plate doesn't float, background sorted, but most importantly those lovely peels still feel like gravity is working on them!
Thanks, Harry. I did do it again, and hope it's as fresh but without the odd angles to the plate.
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