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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Muck and Mire Mess


Have I got a clean up to do after today's spontaneous, impressionistic, Soutinistic, what-was-I-thinking fiasco with oils! This canvas is just loaded with paint. When I got a call this morning from my doctor who asked me aren't you coming, the day went to hell. I was about to start a perfectly orderly little warm-up oil of this photograph, but I had to drop everything and run. He called at the exact time of my appointment. You'd think he could have noticed I wasn't there sooner. How dare life get in the way of a perfectly good studio day! When I got back, I just jumped right in like I was using a water based paint. Lesson learned you can't jump in with oils.

I think the painting can be salvaged after a drying time, (about a week and half at least), but will I? Probably not. I know I can wipe it clean and begin again, but there is something interesting going on here...I did learn a few things about skin tones and mixing cool with warm shadows--very noticeable in this currently gray muck and mire mess. I'm going for a glass of wine.

12 comments:

  1. LW! Well, I think this painting definitely has a "cool" factor. Maybe that is what you see when you write: "there is something interesting going on here". I like how you are cranking these things out..but that is my way too...crank crank! I have missed a dr appt or two in the same way. At least you got there. Perhaps you will grow to like this "spontaneous" style of painting---I like it a lot!

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  2. I think we often are unhappy about our self portraits, but this one is very much alike , and I am sure you will find a way to make it to your likings. I think it is super!

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  3. We have all been there!

    I do like this portrait, Linda.

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  4. I know you are not too pleased with it, but i think it is great. All the best Linda.
    Vic.

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  5. I do like it Celeste. I feel comfortable doing it with acrylics. Oils, not so. You're the maven on those. I keep doing this though; spontaneous is the best fun. When they get too labor intensive, I lose interest.

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  6. Jane there is a resemblance here, I'm not too thrilled to say. I think I was in a fluster from the day starting out not to my liking. Last minute jumping in my car to drive across town to some "check up" instead of mixing up a batch of paint, as I was about to do when the phone rang, (and I answered it), just threw me off kilter--so I guess I painted me off kilter.A journal of spontaneous self portraits might be interesting.

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  7. Casey you've got to be kidding. As grays go, however, I did do a great job of mucking them up. Now it needs some life, some depth...Maybe after my dentist appointment this morning? What was I thinking those months ago to make such a tight schedule!

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  8. I'll give you that the painting has interest,Victor, but it was a total flop with regards to handling the medium. I think I have to be able to handle it as it should be handled before I start taking liberties. As it stands, it's a record of the day

    Thank you all for trying to make me feel better about my total lack of discipline I took out my angst on this little portrait--at least the picture was of me and not someone else. --Funny Note: I wasn't sure angst was the proper word so I looked it up on Wikipedia and what do I see? Evard Munch's The Scream
    It means turmoil.

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  9. yep, your friend is right, it is turned off..definitely was a bug

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  10. I have so wanted to comment on your posts but I've yet to find myself at a non-employment computer in the last few days so here I am struggling with my phone so more time and posts will not go by to tell you that out is great seeing your process and struggles. Progressing in something new is never easy but the struggles bear fruit and ain't the journey great?

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  11. Dan, Joan, you are both so kind.The painting is awful, but has potential. My ineptitude with oils is the problem, along with my cockiness and my love for spontaneity. I really had a hell of a lot of nerve using them for a quicky.

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