After I posted my last sketch, I was looking at the blog page and as I scrolled down, the top of the painting got cropped by the browser's edge. And wouldn't you know it, I saw an unexpected composition that for some reason really appealed to me. I went back to the easel and rather than chop a part of the last painting, I did another painting. Sligtly bigger in scale, and formatted to suit. And I like it!
Actually, this kind of accidental compositions happen quite often when I'm doing stuff on the computer,(trying to fit an image in a banner, for example) and I've benefited by keeping my eyes open for them. I've done countless revisions of paintings based on this...method, if I can call it that, and the unexpected nature of it keeps things really fresh. It's a "discovered" composition, rather than a "built" one, and I love that it gives me new ideas outside of my compositional box, as it were.
I didn't fuss too much about matching the colors of the previous sketch - that wasn't important. But having done the painting once, it was a lot easier to achieve the looser look. In fact it almost felt intuitive.
Now that I am looking at it digitally on the screen I am seeing more possibilities. This could take a while...
7 comments:
You're right, this composition works better than the one with all the sky. Nicely done.
Terry- you're so right about loose being more of a challenge than realistically measured. In order to be an improv actor, you have to really know your stuff in order to veer away from it.
Same is true for painting.
I like seeing both versions and reading your thought process and self critique. Much to learn from.
The top piece just sings and flirts and has sass!
Thanks RHCarpenter~
Bonnie, no kidding! I always liked the analogy to jazz, too. Particularly the story about Coltrane playing songs without hitting a single note of the melody. And yet, the songs are recognizable, beautiful and moving. That's mastery!
"sings and flirts and has sass" - that's more than what I'd hoped for! Thanks!!
Terry, I just discovered your blog. What a treat! In the past I only visited your website. I'm sure to pick up a lot of important tips here. Your work is outstanding.
Thanks Silvina~ and welcome! I don't know about important tips, but I offer plenty of nonsensical ramblings :-)
Wow. The nice little sketch developed into to a painting I could look at for hours. Love it.
thanks lisa~ i got lucky!
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