A few months back, and I am a little embarrassed to admit this, I grabbed some black paint and layered over the painting. Too aggressive. Too dark. And I wasn't in the right "place" - rushed and un-focused. I don't even think I have a picture of it in that stage...it was so bad! I was so worried that I couldn't rescue the piece.
Well it still isn't 100% finished, but at least I have gotten it on it's way. I layered some transparent modeling medium over the black paint, then glazed with thin gesso, and started re-working the lines and butterflies with black conte. The repeated triangle shapes in her shoulder and hair are still a little harsh - I have to work on that corner some more. It feels like a well-worm sculpture right now, one that has been exposed to dirt and rain, like she has some history, and a bit of sadness. I'd like to add in a little hope, too.
Other times...there are pieces I can't WAIT to get started on and after thinking about them for a few days, dying to get into the studio...they pour out of me in a rush! I took a few amazing photos of our figure model last week and decided to start a new pastel portrait today.
I knew that I wanted to capture that gorgeous wrap on her head, and the fabulous organic shape that the tie made to the side. I am inventing the cooler light on her right side. The light was there for the first 10 minutes of our drawing session - we started just before the sun fully set, so there was warm light from the spot, and cool light from the window.
Unfortunatly I took the reference photo after the cool light was completely gone. I hope I am capturing that sense of two different light sources of very different temperature. I worked for about an hour on this today, and I am very pleased with the start. Let's hope a good beginning also means a good ending!
I will keep you updated as I finish these pieces :)
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