All change

Recently I've been looking at a painting I've got in my studio, it's just been propped up against the wall for ages and ages. I did it a couple of years ago and everytime I look at it, something niggles at me that its not quite "right". I haven't been able to tell myself exactly "why" its not quite right, but I just know it IS....... MMm.....

When I saw my model this week she asked what the pose was for the session, and I nodded at this particular painting, since it was of her, and asked her what she felt was "wrong" with it. She looked closer at it, and said that maybe there was "something", but she couldn't say exactly "WHAT". I pushed her for more but she couldn't really tell me more than that, then added "You're the artist, you should know!" and she's right, I am. And I should. Its my painting. I created it. And if its not right, its not right. So, change it! OK. Decision made! But, change it to what? ....MMMmmmm........ More thinking.....

Ok, well, I know I wasn't happy with it being done in acrylics, and felt that it would have been a better painting in oils, so at least it was a start, to do that. Acrylics are often used as a base for oils, so it's quite natural to paint over acylics in oils and let the original colours show through a bit. Ok. Set up the pose again, and paint over the painting in oils. Gulp. Paint OVER? As in lost forever if I get it wrong? Yep! Ok........... If you're sure....................

So, that's what I did. I painted over it, in oils.

And you know what?

It was SSSOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo much better for me doing that! The painting lost its harshness, its half finished look, its gaudy colours and harsh lines. The oils blended on the canvas, the colours were more muted, and so more subtle, the woman in the painting came to life, you could see flesh tones and she looked as if the blood was pumping through her veins. She looked so more sensual and sexy and the whole picture just looked a million times better. WOW!!!! It needs a little bit more work doing on it, fine details in hair and maybe slight changes in the background colours, but its done! Big WOW! I'm so pleased I went with my gut reaction, even if it was a long time coming!

And this week, I've been asked to design a Christmas card, and been given mostly a free reign on designing it except that ideally it should be a pen and ink drawing, and it should feature the crib scene, or the three kings, or the Bethlehem skyline. Ok, sounds interesting. Certainly something different! So, whilst the sun is shining (at last!) on Englands pleasant green lands, and everyone is talking of barbeques and sunbathing, I shall be thinking of Christmas!