This was a lesson in how to salvage a painting and turn it into something else. It started off as a seascape. I had taken a photo looking out across the bay with a sliver of light coming through the clouds and reflecting a sliver of what looked like silver light on the sea. After painting the watercolor I realized I had not made the sea dark enough to get the sliver of reflected light to glow. I made the mistake of going back into the piece to try and fix this and in doing so, overworked it. I have learned over the years that you should never go back into a sky to try and fix things and I think the same applies to the sea. At first I thought of abandoning the piece and starting again, but I liked the sky so much I decided to turn it into a landscape to salvage it. I took it to class where it was well received so I'm pleased I did not throw it away.
Jean, I think it's worked out rather nice. it is so tempting to go bak in to try to 'make it better' especially in sky and water areas (lol)....I have ruined many great skies by doing this. I have a motto now of letting it all dry before proceeding if it's not working out, then re-evaluating. BTW I posted a link to CA's website on my blog post of yesterday. I was editing the post from last week where you left a nice comment about her...and either deleted it by accident or lost it all somehow in blogland. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteYou are very good at your lone trees in the landscape moor situation. from a seascape you have rescued the painting very well. The light in the sky is beautiful against the darks of the trees and the land. You paint trees beautifully Jean.
ReplyDeleteGreat salvaging there, it turned out so well.. a lesson to learn for me as well..I throw works that dont seem to go in the right direction, with impatience..patience pays and it has paid you with a lovely piece of art!
ReplyDeleteVery special, Jean.....something of a South African landscape here?
ReplyDeleteBeautifully rescued Jean. It's turned out very well.
ReplyDeleteMaggie: You would think I would know better since I have also ruined a number of watercolors by going back into them.
ReplyDeleteCaroline: Thanks so much for your nice comment.
Padmaja: I often save failed paintings and cut out sections for use on greeting cards. One can get nice results sometimes.
Marie: HMMM! Had not thought about what influenced me for this one, but having lived so long in South Africa, I feel it definitely does have an influence on my work
John: Thank you for stopping by and for your nice comment.
Wow, this is something we can all learn from, you made a great landscape out of an error, thanks for sharing .
ReplyDeletejean looks like you did a great job ..i love the sky .....beautiful atmosphere .. i've learnt invaluable lessons by just watching students work being corrected and transformed by the tutor at the classes i attended jean.
ReplyDeleteUn cielo stupendo. Elvi
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