Friday 21 August 2015

Taking what works

Last weekend was wet and cool, and my energy was slowly returning. Monday, my day off, I spent most of the day in my studio, working on one of my intuitive canvases. I must admit that I found it very hard to just let go completely, and let the painting develop all "by itself". I ended up feeling that I was just putting layers upon layers, without really getting anywhere. Then I read through the last lessons, on how to incorporate the techniques from the course into our own work, to "take what works and leave the rest behind". And so I got out a charcoal stick and drew some sheep on my canvas.



Oh and it felt good. Finally, I felt that I was back in control, and my painting going somewhere, somewhere I felt more comfortable with, while still incorporating the former layers.


I enjoyed all the playfulness and energy of the first layers. To begin a painting with just some fun and play with colours. And I think that this is a part that I will continue to use. To start a painting with a certain vague(ish) idea of what I want to paint, start loosely with some layers, and let them help the painting develop and be part of it.


I only worked on this smaller canvas, and I still got some work to do on it. The colours are just a little bit too bright for my taste. For the second canvas, I will probably continue with the sheep theme, I think. But we will see. I also already have some ideas for more paintings. 

11 comments:

  1. Wonderful work, has a great feeling of serenity to it. Happy PPF, Hugs, Valerie

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  2. I love the way you bring in the mast the animals in the color...you almost have to look for them. Love the color combinations. Really nicely done.

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  3. I love your painting. Just gorgeous.
    Have a happy weekend ♥

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  4. I love this Kay!! I think it must be very difficult to doing a painting completely intuitively without even the vaguest idea of what it will be. I don't know if you already follow Denthe but if not you should have a look at her blog as she also did Flora's course and she does the most amazing intuitive paintings where she waits until she actually sees something in the shapes - usually girls and birds in her case. I absolutely love how you added the sheep and personally I really like the colour palette - the brighter the better for me but it has to be something you love as it is your art after all. I really hope you stick with these as I think they're fabulous.

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  5. Awesome painting! Looking great!

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  6. "I ended up feeling that I was just putting layers upon layers, without really getting anywhere": oh, how I can relate to this! I have that feeling with almost every intuitive painting that I make. But in the end I always manage to find something in the background. You did a great job with your sheep, and I really love the colours, don't think they're too bright at all....

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  7. Wow this is stunning!! I love the sheep gorgeous canvas. I love the intuitive process...albeit I don't know this one I'm so enjoying watch this canvas emerge. I love how everyone that uses this process still has their own style... very cool!!

    Hugs Giggles

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