Yep, its officially making me crazy.
I know its early stages, and I know its the ugly phase, and I know I can do this, but I keep going over and over the same sections. Scrubbing, repainting, scrubbing, repositioning - thanking myself for using 300lb paper that I can actually scrub.
I think -maybe - that I have conquered the eyes. Or mostly. There's still some deepening of shadows to happen but that's reserved for later.
The mouth is making me really crazy. I think I've gotten it, then it escapes me again or the colour is wrong. So for now, I'm speechless. :) Stepping back from this I see that I need to adjust the hairline and bring it lower.
At times like this I wish I'd just used a pencil...
So why do I post it and share it? Because it pushes me on and makes me do it right. Or as right as I can. The degree of accountability, if only to myself, gives me momentum. The perfectionist in me makes me crazily look for exactness in form, colour and likeness. Voice in my head...don't we all have them?
10 comments:
Jeanette, you are not alone. Sometimes I feel like I "un-paint" as much as I paint. And yes it is frustrating. The worst part is I think the difficulties in process bias how I view the painting. Maybe the same thing is happening to you, since your self-portrait is looking pretty good to me. Hang in there!
Doing W.I.P.s always scares me more than just posting a finished piece. Doesn't it drive you nuts when you think about how you are out there convincing the world that you are as talented as you know you are but you put out these "mistakes"?!? I don't see your mistakes like you see them. As Stacy said, you're doing great. But you see them and could easily point them out. I love how you just put yourself out there for us to learn. I'm also glad there's no fish this time. ;)
It's wonderful! I'm just beginning to paint watercolor portraits and I need the inspiration. You are very talented and skilled. I will be back for more.
You're right Stacy, we all go through these challenges in some paintings, while others just flow. I'll keep working on it. Its only paper and I can always start over!
Its Murphy's Law Jonathan. If you post a WIP, it guarantees that you'll screw it up somehow. If you don't, it will go ok. Pressure!
Mistakes and problems are all part of the learning curve and I figure others need to see the ugly as well as the good.
Yeah, there's other things in my arsenal besides fish. :)
WOW!! I'll say you captured the eyes. Oh boy, I am so excited about finding your blog. I just LOVE blog surfing...visiting everyone's blogs. Your work is very inspiring and I am going to follow and learn.
The eyes are wonderful, Jeanette! Such a gentle look in them. Mouths are difficult, IMO. It's hard to make them look like they aren't painted on(no pun intended).
Sometimes it helps to draw or paint your image upside down. It is a technique I learned from a book entitled "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain." It helps an artist to see the colors, shapes and textures that are actually there and not the symbol, in this case a mouth, that we have pre-envisioned in our minds. Try it on a scrap piece and see if that might help. The eyes have a softness, yet they are full of emotion. Great job!
it's looking amazing! not an ugly stage, unfinished but looking good.
I'll say you've conquered the eyes! Beautiful!
"speechless", hahahahahaha! I actually like the crop lines of the upper half of the face only. Really brings focus on the eyes.
And I love that you put your uncertainties here; you're human!!!
Donna, welcome to my blog. I hope you continue to enjoy it.
Thanks Billie. Every feature seems challenging at times, but this mouth is being difficult!
Thanks Pejnolan. I've tried everything, believe me to make this work. It will come around. :)
Thanks Vivien. I'll be wishing back that unfinished look soon I'm sure.
Yep, its good to show the problems as well as the successes I think Tracy. Thanks for the support.
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