"The Sunny Spot" - work in progress
8" x 10" watercolor on Aquabord
Sometimes I reach a point with my art where I'm not exactly sure what direction to take. I have a hundred ideas roaming around in my head, drawings completed, and watercolor paper stretched and ready to paint on, and yet. . . I can't really seem to find my way to express what I'm striving to. To capture the image with my hand that's so vivid in my head.
When that happens I press forward. I keep making finished drawings that are waiting to be painted, I pick up halfway finished works that I set aside months ago hoping to feel a spark to get them finished this time, I look through photos for that one perfect image that's calling me to paint. I do this knowing that eventually I'll find what it is I'm looking for, and I'll be able to paint without inhibitions or fears once again.
It's not really a block. . . But it's close to it. That's where I am now. And that's why there's a sudden rush of work in progress pieces on my blog. :)
This piece is close to being finished, I just need to strengthen the colors and fine tune the details. I plan to leave the background white because I really like the shape of his little seated figure in that spot of sun.
There's just nothing like painting sun kissed baby skin. It's the best thing ever. :))
Until Thursday my friends!
Crystal, this little one has such warmth, how wonderful! Never let your blocks slow you down, you are PHENOMENAL with a paintbrush in hand.
ReplyDeleteLove that light! I don't know how you do this working on aqua-board, pretty sure the devil made that stuff:) Can't wait to see what you come up with, but it looks great just the way it is:)
ReplyDeleteI am sure every artist goes through something like this. Perhaps its a sign that you are making huge advances in your art.
ReplyDeleteThe painting is coming along very well.
Best wishes,
Your work is stunning Crystal,how you paint in watercolours is entirely unique!! From experience,(all of two years)sometimes a change is as good as a rest and no matter how much we love painting with a passion.Sometimes we have to step away to see the bigger picture.
ReplyDeleteGosh Crystal, it almost seems as if you've been peeking in my notebook :). I can really relate to that "space" and pressing forward does seem to be the best solution. It's nice to know someone else relates.
ReplyDeleteYour paintings are amazing and this new one is no exception!
Well the 'The Sunny Spot' is shaping up nicely - the light is special ... and the little one is about to chortle... all should be well in your world ... but your muse is being mischievous to you, Crystal.
ReplyDeleteI always say that when I stop drawing and the pen takes over from me, then the muse is on my side (writing is exactly the same). The drawing I just finished took 30 hours (ish) and of that, the pen was independent for 4 of them. ... I started a new drawing today and the muse has taken up tap-dancing ... in clogs!
This is just fabulous, the little one is totally bathed in sunlight, and I think that was what you were aiming for, so I think it is very successful !
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to this feeling! And only today today I learned that sometimes in order to move forwards, I have to take a huge step backwards! I LOVE this sunlit painting! You capture those translucent skin tones like no other :0)
ReplyDeleteI totally get where you are coming from here. I learned only today that sometimes the only way to be able to move forwards, is to take a giant step backwards! The baby is beautiful! You have captured those sunlit, translucent skin-tones like no other can :0)
ReplyDeleteComing along so beautifully, Crystal. Do I see the outline of a toy or ball under his left hand there?
ReplyDeleteAhh, the skin tones in sun and cute baby --wonderful combination ! Looking forward to seeing it finished!
ReplyDeleteYou've got the perfect attitude for handling these "lulls", as I call them. I have exactly the same thing happen: tons of ideas for paintings ping-ponging around in my head, coming from all directions. I try to focus on one of them, and things implode. Unfinished paintings get abandoned, or tossed, and I feel unsettled, for lack of a better word. And dissatisfied with everything.
ReplyDeleteEventually, things even out and the path becomes clear again :). So, keep on keepin' on - you're doing great!
I love how you paint the skin in abstract shapes and patterns -- I never learned to see human figure that way! But I am experimenting seeing nature this way for landscape painting, and when I saw your painting, it suddenly dawned on me that figures can be paint in such an abstract fashion as well -- and if all the shapes are painted accurately, like in this one, amazingly it would turn into a beautiful, vivid portrait!
ReplyDeleteSo appreciated this post and the beautiful painting, the light on that baby soft skin, perfection. We always seem to be reaching for skills just past our current point of achievement and I expect it will always be that way and your right there is that place of teetering between reaching and becoming blocked. Hope we have good balance!
ReplyDeleteThis is coming along fantastic, Crystal. I love how the light is hitting him. He's soooo beautiful!! I can't wait to see this one finished.
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful so far, Crystal. I relate to the "blocked, but not quite" feeling you described. I'm there right now ... but ... onward! And Huzzah, too!!
ReplyDeleteThat glow on the baby's skin is lovely!
ReplyDeleteBren sure put that stage in our growth well. It's a kind of itch for me. Not satisfied until I find the remedy.
It amazes me how you get the skin tone so well. Looking forward to see this one finished.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's looking great so far. You're definitely going in the right direction!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful so far! I know what you mean. I've a bunch of started paintings. Wierd, but I'll get up one day and just start finishing them. I guess its an artist thing! LOL!
ReplyDeleteSo endearing - very lovely!
ReplyDeleteSound good..
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