This week’s main task has been to brainstorm ideas for potential painting compositions and to complete at least one painting…
I do have ideas for future paintings, however, I have found it difficult to know when best to stop with this particular painting (how much is too much?!). Do I add trees to the bottom half of the composition, or would it be unnecessary detail? Fearful of taking it too far and over-working the painting, I have again created a charcoal study of the composition. This method has helped me significantly throughout the process of creating my most recent paintings but, at this moment in time, it cannot help me with my dilemma!
This caution to not over-work my paintings comes after having started a painting last week. Whilst working on this painting in the studio, my tutors were adamant that the painting worked as it was (in my eyes it was totally unfinished) and suggested that I left it as it was until a later date. I personally couldn’t see what they could, I had created a charcoal study to work out the whole structure of the painting and it looked nothing like what I had planned.
After having this pointed out to me, I have been cautiously analysing my paintings before I add more paint, to ensure it will be effective as a whole. I can also see how sometimes less is more, and I will continue to consider the effectiveness of a painting throughout working- whether it’s what I had in mind for a finished painting or not! At this point in time, where an answer isn’t so obvious, I will move on to new work, which in time will inform my practice and help me to complete these ‘works in progress’ in the future!
Adalia Mynett 