Cream & Sugar - 6" x 6" - oil on hardboard panel - SOLD
Have you ever finished a painting and then felt like something was wrong? You couldn't put your finger on it, but something was just WRONG with it? This is what happened to me with "Cream & Sugar", originally posted last month. The surface upon which the creamer and sugar cubes sat was dark brown. It looked great in the reference photo I took, but, translated to canvas, it just didn't work.
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I decided to give myself until February to see if it grew on me. It never did. So, this week I gave in to the urge to redo the painting, something I rarely ever do. In fact, I don't remember the last time I went back into a painting after it was completed, except maybe to repair a scratch or something superficial. But the moment I put that first layer of white down over the dark brown, the whole image opened up for me. It gave me what I'd been looking for. It's not like angels appeared from behind the clouds, harps in hand, but I was definitely feeling like things were back on the right track. It looked RIGHT to me.
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Anyone else ever redo a painting before? I'm curious to know of your experiences. Personally, I had major anxiety at the thought of undoing something done and experimenting with what was otherwise a lovely composition. Of course, after the fact, I am very glad I did, but whoo boy! Those first few brushstrokes of white? ANGST.
*
I decided to give myself until February to see if it grew on me. It never did. So, this week I gave in to the urge to redo the painting, something I rarely ever do. In fact, I don't remember the last time I went back into a painting after it was completed, except maybe to repair a scratch or something superficial. But the moment I put that first layer of white down over the dark brown, the whole image opened up for me. It gave me what I'd been looking for. It's not like angels appeared from behind the clouds, harps in hand, but I was definitely feeling like things were back on the right track. It looked RIGHT to me.
*
Anyone else ever redo a painting before? I'm curious to know of your experiences. Personally, I had major anxiety at the thought of undoing something done and experimenting with what was otherwise a lovely composition. Of course, after the fact, I am very glad I did, but whoo boy! Those first few brushstrokes of white? ANGST.
8 comments:
Beautifully done. I love the palette. And yes, Redo is my middle name. :)
I thought the first painting was very nice but I agree, this version is better. I "redux" paintings all the time! Sometimes, I'm just not happy with them and I let them sit 'til I decide what is wrong. Other times, they go off to a gallery before I decide they just aren't working. They must return home for a facelift.
I have one wrapped and stored for seven years. I'm not sure there is anything to fix, I just don't want to ever have to look at it again.
I applaud your bravery for redoing. I liked it before, but I agree that it is even better now. It's sweet! :)
That really made a difference.....it is much easier on the eye now! Like it can "breathe" now. Bet it was hard to go in and get rid of that contrast. I like it better this way too.
i like the picture and the execution. You have a wondeful style.
Good call on the dark surface. It seemed to be stealing the eye from the top of the cream carafe. Now the main subject can speak more clearly.
Thank you all for taking the time to let me know your thoughts, and for sharing your 'redux' stories with me. So glad I'm not the only one! LOL
Your redo looks much better, I'm glad they were both posted so we could compare....Nice!
I am like K...I am always changing things, but usually during the painting process. The thing I hate most is to see a painting in someone's home, and see something that needs to be redone. I have asked to have paintings back to "fix" them. In wc, once the painting is framed..it is finished!
Thank you, Suzy. :o)
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