16x24 oil on linen - work in progress
I've been trying to paint a little larger lately. I've been working on this since last week. I've finally covered the linen now (its just a large piece taped up and not mounted yet.) I so much like to work alla prima and get the idea out at once... working larger means I can't do it all in one session. Which means the brushwork becomes a little more labored, less spontaneous; and my initial enthusiasm fades, which means I grow to hate the painting by the time I decide its done (or give up). I am going to look at this one a little longer and see what it says to me next week. Maybe its done, maybe not.
I do want to keep trying to paint some larger works though, i just need to figure out how to scale up. I think there is an art to it - to still be able to suggest and mass things in but not have the whole thing appear messy. It requires a balance of spontaneous brush work and quiet areas. And I need to figure out how to "suggest" things rather than describing everything just because the image is larger.
What's funny, is that this isn't that large! (baby steps)
9 comments:
Looks done to me, Robin! I thought it was a photograph at first ... great work! :)
Just use larger brushes and paint the same way you always do. Scales up automatically. I love your spontaneous style.
It's looking good. Don't give up on it!!
I struggle with the exact same issues when working larger. I always end up being sick of it by the time i'm done. I guess the more we do, hopefully they will go easier and we won't hate them towards the end!
Take your time, ENJOY what you are doing...paint what you love. Don't paint to make anyone else happy, paint to make yourself happy... The rest will fall into place.
I love it and think you should call it done.
I'm right there with you about learning to paint larger. It is a different animal and I haven't got it down yet.
I've been trying to tackle these same issues this summer, and it IS difficult going bigger and yet still trying to keep that same loose alla prima feel to it...even though it takes more than one go at it to finish. I'm going to keep chasing after it to see if I can ever get that same feeling...and maybe that won't ever come, maybe I'll be able to accept something different. But going after the struggle anyways. One way is to tackle a really big one like a 24x36, suddenly the 16x20s seem a bit easier, and then the much smaller 8x10s start feeling cramped! Oh the things we do to push the walls of our comfort zone!
Hey, this translates as having a lot of great energy - I really like it!!
you said-"What's funny, is that this isn't that large! (baby steps)"
could we both have this problem because we've been dailypainters for so long, painting hundreds of 6x6's where one stroke could suggest the side of a building? LOL
You're trying to scale up and I'm happiest with at least an 18x24 canvas in front of me. Tried the 6x8 routine this year in hopes of "quickies" that I could sell at lower prices in this sagging economy and I hated it. And they didn't sell anyway, in spite of all the praise they've received. Oh well. That's life. Paint what makes you happy Robin, but paint!
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