Just home from a zumba class at the Y here in Victoria. Took the risk and went to a class. Okay, so who said exercise gives you an energy boost? No way no how…I’m knackered! BUT it sure was FUN getting there 🙂 And really it was worth all the effort and the risk of not being able to do it, looking stupid, feeling out of shape – you know, all those excuses!
Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. It’s where all the fruit is.
I thought I’d share the progression from start to fnish of this pastel painting (still without title – any suggestions?). It’s still me taking a risk as written about in a previous blog back in September 2012. I’ve used the same figure (my friend and model Andrea) but was inspired to use very different colours – greens and blues. I imagined a painting of calm.
Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.
I am working towards two shows in 2014 – a solo show at Gallery 8 on Salt Spring and a group show with three other fabulous women artists and friends. This piece may be for the solo show unless it’s sold in the meantime 🙂
Okay, here’s the progression:
1. The charcoal drawing on Wallis paper 24 x 18 in. I took the risk of moving the figure to the far right edge.
2. The first laying down of colour. As you can see, it’s primarily on the figure. So what about the background? What risk shall I take?
3. Now colour has been applied to much of the background although you can see parts of the paper still are uncovered. Another scary moment of what to do now. I must keep moving forward into risk.
4. A quick look at the above image in black and white – tells us a lot! When I first imagined the image, the left side was quite light. So I have to rectify that to achieve what I envisioned. I’m also unhappy with the shape of the head so must improve that.
5. So here it is with the left side lightened and more pastels layered over the whole. I am also trying to integrate some of the figure into the background. For example the area of the lower right arm and the left shoulder – in both cases the same colour is used for body and background. I also corrected the right shoulder.
6. The fine tuning. I began to think of the figure looking into water, perhaps contemplating the state of the world, maybe our natural resource, the delight in and beauty of water. I now needed to add something more to express the idea of water.
7. The final pastel!! I added sparkles of light, you know those lovely glints on the water that catch our eye. I also wrote quietly over the whole surface. You cannot see it immediately but look carefully. Was this a risk? I wanted to emphasis the mark on the paper. Although we perceive a figure, it’s all two-dimensional. I put this pastel away for a time then brought it out and thought, Yes, it’s finished – nothing more to add or change.
8. The final – a close up
9. Final – close-up. You can see some of the writing here. Also you can see the remaining strokes of charcoal that are visible. For me they are part of the art-making process.
10. The final. Close-up. Here you can really see the abstracted nature of the piece. It’s all colour and marks.
11. The final. Close-up. The body comes and goes.
12. And here are the selection of pastels used. They are Mount Vision pastels.
So, there you have it!
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.
PS. I came across Ish, a most marvellous children’s book about drawing and being free to draw without letting judgement by others prevent you from doing what you were meant to do. Every child should have this book!!
PPS. Is it really the end of January already?? I feel like I’ve just got started in 2013!
WOW! It is really beautiful Gail. The colours remind me of a Monet Waterlilly painting. Your risks are paying off. Looking forward to where they take you next.
A
Thanks Mum. It’s really fun to pick a colour palette and see what I can do with it. I woke one morning with these colours in my mind and thought I’d try them and see what happened.Nice to have a successful outcome.
I am so pleased someone recommended your blog to me. This piece is beautiful and inpirational. I am currently doing a still life and need to integrate my subject with the background…this was very helpful. Love how you are “going out on a limb.” Enjoy your success!
Hi Gail,
Just had an enjoyable time going through back entries in your blog and I am so inspired.
I have been having a little block ,not any more . I love your videos ,so informative and fun to watch . Your work is beautiful ,I love the colors and use of a limited palette. Thanks
Wow Sandi, you warm my heart with your words. For you to have inspiration from blogs, that’s the biggest compliment. I’m so glad you are enjoying my videos. I am slowly working on a new one so if you subscribe to my YouTube channel, you’ll be the first to know….even before blog subscribers because it usually takes a few days for me to get the info out there. Thanks you so much for commenting and subscribing.
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12 thoughts on “A new pastel……continuing the journey into risk and the pay-off!”
WOW! It is really beautiful Gail. The colours remind me of a Monet Waterlilly painting. Your risks are paying off. Looking forward to where they take you next.
A
Thanks Andrea. I love the reference to Monet and his waterlily paintings. I too wonder where it will all take me!
Such lush colours Gail. Great to experiment and achieve something very lovely.
M.
Thanks Mum. It’s really fun to pick a colour palette and see what I can do with it. I woke one morning with these colours in my mind and thought I’d try them and see what happened.Nice to have a successful outcome.
Sorry try as I might I cant come up with a comment that satisfies me This work is in my mind perfect Enough said.
Sandy, your comment works just fine with me 🙂
I am so pleased someone recommended your blog to me. This piece is beautiful and inpirational. I am currently doing a still life and need to integrate my subject with the background…this was very helpful. Love how you are “going out on a limb.” Enjoy your success!
Diane, how lovely to hear that my piece has given you some inspiration in yours. Many thanks for commenting.
This is lovely Gail. The quiet writing adds another dimension that further draws me in. Well done!
Thanks Leah. I am glad the writing draws you in – it’s doing what I’d hoped!
Hi Gail,
Just had an enjoyable time going through back entries in your blog and I am so inspired.
I have been having a little block ,not any more . I love your videos ,so informative and fun to watch . Your work is beautiful ,I love the colors and use of a limited palette. Thanks
Wow Sandi, you warm my heart with your words. For you to have inspiration from blogs, that’s the biggest compliment. I’m so glad you are enjoying my videos. I am slowly working on a new one so if you subscribe to my YouTube channel, you’ll be the first to know….even before blog subscribers because it usually takes a few days for me to get the info out there. Thanks you so much for commenting and subscribing.