I started a new painting this weekend, building on what I learned from the last one. This time, I won’t have a step-by-step guide. I had to make every choice myself and I can see what Carol Carter was talking about in terms of painting being tiring. Definitely requires mental focus. I’m trying to keep in mind Carol’s advice on not making it precious. That’s why I picked Juliana — the composition is similar enough to the old man that I could borrow some of the techniques from the tutorial but more importantly, I don’t have an emotional connection to her so I won’t feel any pressure to make it match any personal memories I have.
I’m going to post my progress in reverse chronological order here, as evidence — for me to see all the awkward, terrible in progress phases where I want to throw it out. Regardless of how it goes, I’m committing to finishing it.
Some other things I’m exploring with this one:
- I don’t want to scrub anything
- I’m doing it like Louise de Masi does the giraffe — applying washes really far from the water’s edge. I like the smoothness I’m getting with this.
- Dedicated brushes for 1) water application, 2) pigment application, 3) edge softening
- Background color
- Using the reference photo — not to copy but as a starting off point. I’m changing her gaze and expression. I might change the eye color too.
What I’ve learned so far:
- I’m really wobbly on color
- But I’m stronger on value
Too pink wth, still seems really washed out
structure is emerging
