
Once I was comfortable with achieving the right skin tone, her forearm and hand were next. I should mention that my daughter is a Registered Massage Therapist. Her vast knowledge of muscle tissue would most likely catch any errors on my part!, This fact had me painstakingly checking and rechecking every nuance. Here I spent another three hours, shading and lightening to form the fingers and knuckles that would be seen through her hair. It takes the right mood, determination, and perseverance to stick with one area until I get it right. This is a big challenge for my frequently unfocused personality ! I tend to bounce around am easily distracted by another section I'll spot which needs tweaking. If anything, the quick drying acrylics combined with a tiny palette and costly paint are incentives to remain focused. It is definitely a growth moment for me to force myself to stick to the plan. You can certainly learn a lot about not only the art of painting, but about yourself too!
Small details were worked on next. I often enjoy painting with others at a weekly community centre if only for a change of scenery and some socializing. One such day was spent just getting the sleeve cuff and wrinkles in the fabric. So much paint mixing to get the right shade of grey shadows and brighter ridges! Three more hours into it and I was thrilled at the realism my brush strokes had achieved. In this case, patience won out!
On a particularly beautiful day I decided to continue outside in our gazebo, only to realize in the glaring light that things were too grey and that her top was not pink enough. Lesson learned? Consistent lighting is important. Two hours later her top is the lightest suggestion of pink and after retouching the cuff, I was able to move up her arm. One of my challenges is keeping track of which wrinkle I'm working on. I often lose my place. There's gotta a better way! For now I count the wrinkles.
There is still much more to do before I'll sign this piece. I must take it one day at a time.
Please share my blog with friends and come on back next week for an update!
With Love,
Rolande
On a particularly beautiful day I decided to continue outside in our gazebo, only to realize in the glaring light that things were too grey and that her top was not pink enough. Lesson learned? Consistent lighting is important. Two hours later her top is the lightest suggestion of pink and after retouching the cuff, I was able to move up her arm. One of my challenges is keeping track of which wrinkle I'm working on. I often lose my place. There's gotta a better way! For now I count the wrinkles.
There is still much more to do before I'll sign this piece. I must take it one day at a time.
Please share my blog with friends and come on back next week for an update!
With Love,
Rolande