Zac,work in progress, day two |
A lot went wrong with Zac till I started over. Now, he's coming along nicely, but very sloooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwly...
And even with using the grid system for this second try, I noticed today, after a couple of hours painting, that my drawing had strayed. I have to correct the position of his neck line and collar. It won't be difficult, but it it turned out to be the reason I was having difficulty getting his chin line, which is a semi hard edge.
Drawing errors and edge treatments are two biggies on Schmid's list of "common mistakes and difficulties."
HERE'S THE DIFFICULTIES THAT DO PLAGUE ME FROM TIME TO TIME:
Careless drawing (not measuring),[enough].
Trying to paint things instead of color shapes. [I know this, but I sometimes forget].
Painting more values than necessary. [This is where I really miss being nearsighted. You can't paint what you can't see].
Incorrect temperature changes.
Inventing impossible color.
Miserly paint (too little).
Allowing too little time.
Working too close, not frequently stepping back to view your work.
Overworking what should be left alone [How do you know]?
Working from inadequate photos. [Remind you of anyone you know]?
Not squinting for values and edges .[This is where I really miss being nearsighted].
Painting shadows too light.
Painting too fast.
Painting too small without proper brushes. [I occasionally--regularly--get lazy. I hate cleaning tiny brushes].
Working from photos taken by others. [I did do that for those Unknown Children, but against my better judgement. I think I would do it again too, if I was getting paid. What can I say, supplies cost money].
HERE'S THE ONES THAT DON'T:
Too many sharp edges.
Unsuitable brushes.
Poorly stretched canvas.
Painting over life-size without a good reason.
Poor working light.
Too many highlights.
Muddy (wrong temperature) color.
"Pushing" bright colors arbitrarily.
Inappropriate paint thickness.
Excessively-thinned paint.
Cheap canvas, very absorbent canvas.
Aimless brushstrokes.
Showing off.
Faking it.
Excessive glare on the canvas.
I love this list. I think it's worth printing out in calligraphy and mounting on the studio wall. Schmid has put into words, what I only suspected after days of trying to get a painting right. This list makes Alla Prima, Everything I know About Painting a very worthwhile purchase, (even though reading it so close to my workshop experience set me on edge). To happier painting.