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| Tiny Canvas (9x12), Tiny Figures, Big Mountain to climb. |
While I'm waiting for my new practice size canvases to be delivered, I doodled in runny oil paint on the last of my 9 x 12 canvas boards. As much as I find small size canvases to be inhibiting, I also don't enjoy canvas boards. They have no bounce. But practice, practice, practice. I must feel I need it? I gave up a chapter of George Washington--yes, I'm still plugging away on that 900 plus page volumn--to draw with oils without staining the whole surface. I did capture the stance of the Best Friends, but there's definitely more to them that requires letting this dry and then picking up a smaller brush and a mahl stick. Acrylic would have been a better choice, but I don't need practice with that medium I've used of years. I need practice with the oils. Even though I used a lot of mineral spirits, they do dry slowly. Takes some getting used to.
I had a funny thought while I was studying the girls. I have actually been teaching myself to paint with oils the last year and a half. I never took an oil painting class--other than that gestural portraiture four day workshop. Adding the small format to the chore, I added a whole other mountain to climb. I do hope 11 x 14 makes me happier in my pursuit. They should be here by Saturday.
Historic Facts learned today: Aside from being known as the Father of Our Country, George W, the original, is known in the agricultural field as being The Father of American Mule Breeding. The American mule, it seems, was different than the European. It was stronger and had a better disposition.
