Friday, 24 January 2020

Persistence and paint.


When the going gets tough, 
the tough get going.




‘Weather the storm’

Oils and cold wax medium 
on 30 x 30 inch canvas.

This painting was in tatters last night
after hours of struggle and scraping down.

It was a rework over a red painting from last year  
and I began to doubt my decision to change it.
The work was going downhill very quickly.

Today, after a relaxing coffee morning with 
a friend, I was in the mood to try once more.

This time my progress was so different.
I focused on colour and tonal changes,
working quickly to make a loose seascape.

I am pleased with the result.
It’s a ‘keeper’...for now.


Moving on...

After the experience with ‘Weather the Storm’
I was eager to resume work on another piece
which was giving me a hard time. 



This picture had been reworked recently
from one I painted several years ago.

Although I was happy with the change,
the dark blue ‘squiggle’ mark on the right
had invited a comment from someone 
who asked what it ‘meant’. 

I said the title is ‘Fair and Square’
as I couldn’t think of another useful answer.

Suddenly my painting screamed ‘change me’.
I could never see this picture again in the same way. 

Well...that is the end of it.
That picture has gone.


I painted over it many times.
Colours were changed
but nothing was working.

I went to bed leaving a large image 
of pea green soup to dry on the wall.


Now there are signs of life.

I began the rescue with a dark mix of
Cobalt blue deep and Burnt Sienna
with blue/green oils from the ‘Storm’ painting.

Traces of the previous image have been left 
to show through the darkened appearance.
The raised texture and scratches add interest.

It’s drying on the wall.
I have titled it...

‘Darkened Land’.




Oils and cold wax medium on 
30 x 40 inch box canvas.


I shall resist any attempts to lighten the painting.
The dark, gloomy atmosphere is now the focus.


Persistence eventually won the day.


Until next time...
Thank you for visiting.


My website tells more of my story.

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