Ever had a painting that you thought was finished… but you always wanted to go back in and fix it? Well, that is exactly what I did for this week’s BobBlast. It is a drip tree painting I started a few years ago. It is a large diptych 22x60 inches - two full sheets of watercolor paper.
After making the decision to finally finish this painting, I put it up on my wall and just looked at it. I wanted to have a plan - a goal, intentions for the finish. My immediate goals for this painting came down to these points:
- New Sky Color
- Define the Trees
- Less Tree Trunks
- Establish the Focal Point
I decided to start with the sky - I mixed a light sky blue color, using plenty of opaque Titanium White. I painted a newer skyline along the tops of the trees, as well as the sky peeking through some of the midway tree trunks. This is when I also combined some tree trunks or painted some trunks out. I find it is more interesting if the tree trunks are not all the same size. I am painting all over the painting at this point; not staying in one place too long.
As I am painting along, one focal point starts to appear! My job is to make it more noticeable by emphasizing the focal point with color and contrast.
Painting for me is not just with a brush - during the painting’s progress, I also spray isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) on some wet areas, which makes a splashy effect and a few “sky holes”. Paper towels are another favorite “wiping-away” tool.
And, throughout all of this, I use a red Plexiglas value finder - looking for the dark/light contrast. Cool, huh? You only see the contrast. You can also use your phone and take a black & white photo.
When is the painting finished? When it matches my goal, intentions AND the title, I am done! The title is Blast of Light. My goal was to brighten the skyline, establish the focal point and get my colors back to my Goof-Proof Color Wheel.
This was fun!
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• May 17, 2023
“Painting the Movement of Light”
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“Creating Contrast in Abstract Painting”
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“Quick Guide to Working with Neutrals”
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