In August of 2024, I visited the loveliest historic site: Old Economy Village in Ambridge, PA, where I started a pen and ink drawing. I drew on an Arches watercolor block with waterproof ink, planning to finish the drawing with watercolors.
If you've never used one, a block of watercolor paper allows you to paint on 140# paper without taping the edges as the paper is glued around all 4 sides. When you're done, you simply slide a palette knife (or a butter knife) into a little slot that's been left unglued, and run it around the edges to free the paper from the stack.
This drawing sat in my studio for over a year,and every time I wanted to use that watercolor block to create something new, I'd mutter to myself about finishing the artwork some day.
I finally pushed myself to finish the painting, using this reference photo.
I simplified the scene in my drawing, omitting the fence with the grapevines and a few other details. The brick house against the shadowy hills was the focal point, so I wanted to reduce clutter in other areas. I had fun with the shadows in the apple tree on the right.
What a good feeling to free up that watercolor block!
There's often a fear of ruining an unfinished work that you like. I recommend that you warm up with other art play, then make a plan and start in. In this case, I played with abstract watercolors, then worked from the background to the foreground, from general to specific, and from larger washes to finer details.
As hard as it might seem to reignite the energy to finish a piece, I like to think that until it's finished, my art isn't what I want it to be. If I leave it to gather dust, it hasn't developed its full potential. By taking the risk and finishing the painting, I give the artwork a chance to be complete.
My art never turns out exactly as I'd imagined it. It's more a process of discovery and exploration focused on a scene that inspires me rather than the pursuit of a specific outcome.
When you finish your artwork, even if it takes a turn you didn't see coming, you have the peace of completing the artwork. That can boost you to move on to something new.
Every painting can teach you something. This painting shows me how cool greens appear to recede and warm greens look closer. It gave me a place to play with contrasting colors: the orangey red of the brick house against the blue green trees and hill. And it reminds me to always simplify the landscape -- pick out the focal point and delve into detail there, omitting other details.
What an uplifting feeling to put the final brush stroke on something that's been nagging you to be finished!
I'm looking forward to using my watercolor block for the next spark of inspiration that sweeps through.
No comments:
Post a Comment