(11x15)Hello! Sorry I've been incommunicado. I don't really know what happened ... You'd think after two great workshops I'd be painting nonstop but being temperamentally perverse I stopped painting altogether. (I've also been trying to get a lot of work done, and my nineteen-year-old nephew has moved in with me which has been, and is, a learning experience. He's young and can learn; it's been a bit more fraught for me. You know how when you introduce a new cat into your household the cat you had suddenly becomes an old grump? I'm the cat you had ... ).
This is the last painting I attempted after my last post a month ago.
I'm consistently having a problem getting eyes to align; the farther one is always droopy: very disconcerting.
This procrastinating has got to stop though and for the coming week I'm setting myself the goal of finding something that I really want to paint, that I can't possibly resist painting.
14 comments:
Hi Laura,
I'm going to Marie's workshop on Saturday & looking forward to it. You'll find that "something" & you'll soon be back in the swing of things.
Carol
Also having a nineteen-year-old in the house (though I've had him since a kitten), I know how distracting they can be. I think workshops are so intense it's hard to carry on the momentum straight away - hopefully after some stewing time all that inspiration and information will bubble to the surface and you'll be painting regularly again. Eyes are very hard - mine always look in different directions!
This is just lovely! I love those warm colours you have used for her skin tones and also that you have left lots of white paper too :0)
I get really frustrated when I can't think of what to paint. Recently I have a few ideas lined up, which makes me happy. In the past I have felt quite pressured to post something, anything, just so I have put something on my blog, but actually I recently decided to post more quality than quantity. So, no matter if there is a big gap between posts - That's life, and I'm sure us followers won't be going anywhere :0)
Hi Laura, Glad you are back. I think you did a great job.. this is very nice. I know what you mean, I've had a time lately finding something I really really wanted to paint and that inspired me. So today I am going to look for some flowers. we'll see if that does it for me. take care and Keep up the great work, Diana
Mornin' Laura, as far as I can see the only thing amiss about the right eye is that it's darker and shouldn't it be lighter because it's in the light and the other darker because it's under the shadow of the brim. That might change your opinion of it if you change the lighting. Otherwise, I think you are being too hard on yourself.............:) I understand being away from your painting then trying to get started again. I'm in pretty much the same place right now.
Happy painting, look forward to seeing your next post of this one.
I've heard a lot of people experience this stopping after a workshop or two - as if the ideas and things learned need to percolate a while before they can come out. No worries about that. This is a beautiful start. I do agree the eyes are very different - perhaps practicing just eyes for a while will help with that. It seems you're trying to bring her left eye all the way around and make it fit the whole open space of her left side so you're elongating it and making it bigger than her right eye (which seems right). I'd love to see a bright blue hat on her to compliment the orange tones in her skin! (And your comment about the old cat and new cat made me laugh.)
Hi Laura, Glad your back. Ahh those fiesty Teens,such a fun experience, meooow.
Portrait looks good I can see the Reid influence in the paint to water ratio, although your colors are always inviting. No more portraits for you??
Oh, how well I know that feeling. I do think the creative process comes in fits and starts. This is lovely! You know--I have the same thing happen to me with eyes...well, eyes and most of the features of the face, for that matter!
Hi Laura,
A beautiful painting. I've had a stop painting spree happen after going to great workshops. Glad you're back now. I'm sure you and your nephew will work things out.
You are a kind auntie.
XOBarbara
Well I think you've done a wonderful job here! I love her expression and those colors, WOW! Just gorgeous. We're always our toughest critics aren't we? Glad I found your blog btw. :)
I guess you can take that much liberty with watercolors :) the portrait looks very nice, hope you are back in full swing,soon!
Hi Laura, well at least your making the attempt. more than I can say for me... we all go through this ... you know it. I know it,, but we always think something is wrong.. Not so...
Hang in there.. and I will too LOL !
BJ
Maybe we become more intimidated after attending workshops. To quote Edgar Degas, "painting is so easy when you don't know how, and so hard when you do." Your portraits are always so good. Welcome back! Look forward to seeing your next watercolor.
Jean
Just found your blog, Congrats on being a top watercolor blog:) Hope you find your self with an irresistible need to paint. Looking forward to visiting again.
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