why stop when you are having fun?

Another "work in progress". One day I will actually finish a painting. This one needs more editing.

no self control

Argh. So much for keeping to a simple palette.

I painted white over most of the undesirable purple and parts of the green. I tried to go back to SIMPLE, so I added different blues. It was more or less back to the original orange/blue palette. But it needed some "punch".

So I added a red and then a pink, which then made the one orange brushstroke on the right look too bright, so I had to tone that down. In other words, one thing led to another...change one thing, and EVERYTHING changes!! Now I don't like the yellow at the top right of the painting. Need to tone that down.

I need a good tutorial on color theory. I guess this trial and error thing is what it's all about. Argh.

filling the blank canvas

As usual, I should have left well enough alone.

While I liked the simplicity and calligraphic qualities of this painting, I felt it had perhaps too limited a color palette.




So I added more paint. Not a good choice. I thought green would harmonize with the blue, but it was not the right green. So I had to scrape, wipe off, paint over. I'm not thrilled about the painting at this stage.

I am still determined to keep plenty of white in this painting, in attempt to a) keep it somewhat light compared to my last few paintings, and b) have some "calm" spots for the eye to rest, and c) just to see if I can do it.

I am also trying to be careful with my color palette.

So while keeping these goals in mind for this painting, I am learning an awful lot about self-control, and of course, color theory and paint handling. I've got a LONG way to go!!!

Bigger is better?

Well, I'm not too happy with the 36"x 36" Half Moon Bay "landscape" (from the last post) so I set that one aside for now. It got too busy and convoluted. I'll have to go back and paint out quite a lot of it, though which parts remain to be seen.

For no particular reason, I decided to get some stretcher bars and try stretching a big canvas. Many layers of gesso later, I started on my 48" x 54". I'm trying to stay with a light background and keep the color scheme simple, learning from the last painting which, as I mentioned, got way too busy. So here are the first 4 stages.




I am definitely influenced by (ripping off) Joan Mitchell. Gotta start SOMEWHERE! It is WAY harder to do than it looks. I hope I can pull it off.

Also, I've switched to oils for this one and I'm happier with the slower drying time.