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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!

10 thoughts on “All change”

  1. Can’t wait to see the painting!

    Don’t worry, tomorrow it will probably be wet and cold again, making you think it’s winter! lol.

  2. Jackie Adshead

    Trixie – I’ll show you when I’ve finished it! And I hope you’re wrong about the weather….. 🙂

  3. Spiky Zora Jones

    jachie…I have faith in you babes. I know sometimes we (artist) do that. What is wrong with it? I used to turn the painting or drawing upside down. It gives you another perspective.

    My brother called me and asked me to come over…he asked me. What is wrong with this painting. An American indian sitting on his.

    I turned it upside down…the indain was sitting back to far…it was not natural.

    when I was in the 8th grade I would draw it upside down on the art paper…like a tree limb become lines and shades and not a limb. My mind would fight with my eyes. something like the Parthenon. Not a straight line on that temple. Know what I mean?

    Ciao babes.

  4. Jackie Adshead

    Spiky – It was basically a good painting, but far too harsh, the colours were too strident, and didn’t work well together. It was an idea I tried, and at the time it was ok, it’s only because I’m more experienced now that I know that it needed doing in oils – such a softer, more subtle medium, the colours meld together so much better.

    I know what you mean about your brain fighting your eyes, but you learn the tricks to work around it, to make the picture “work”. Sometimes looking at the painting in a mirror will help too, to show what’s wrong with it.

  5. Do we get to see this painting Jackie? It sounds good!
    Good for you, having the confidence to paint over the original seems to have paid off.

  6. Jackie Adshead

    Racy redhead – Yep, I’ll show it to you as soon as its finished – it just needs a bit more work doing on it when this stage is dry.

  7. yeah some times in life we have to go with the gut bit. It’s like being daring.. lookin forward to the finished product for sure..

  8. I’m glad you’ll show us!

    It’s wrong to suggest you work in a nude on the Christmas card, isn’t it? 😉

  9. Jackie Adshead

    Indigo – Well I’m just pleased my “gut reation” paid off! And I’ll show you the finished product as soon as it’s done……

  10. Jackie Adshead

    Nitebyrd – LMAO – Mmmm… YES it is wrong to suggest that, but you know me so well! 🙂

    I’m sorely tempted……..!!!! lol

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