After the bright, fun colours of ‘Moving On’, I felt I wanted to paint a quieter piece, more reflective and peaceful, which I think I am achieving with this work. Looking again at ‘Waiting, Wishing, Wanting’ on the website, I decided I would like to have a painting that compliments this, a young, pensive, blonde woman set next to a dark haired woman putting her hair up, also looking thoughtful. I would be interested in any feedback here too? It is important to think as much of the background as the figure when painting a picture. Invariably, I will put touches of colour from the figure into the background, to pull the whole composition together. Hence there is a hint of the pink used in the skirt on the wall, and also a touch of the blonde shade in the hair is in the backdrop. The same pink tone has been put into the deep red of the wine glass and even a little of the deep red into the flesh tones. The bedspread she is sitting on is a neutral cream/beige but I may change this as time goes on if I feel the painting is too bland. I…
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4 different images were involved in this piece and then I used my imagination to work out what I wanted to portray. For me it is a woman kicking up a splash as she metaphorically moves on from some situation in her life, be it a relationship issue, a job situation, or perhaps kicking back against ageing; as always the viewer can make up his or her mind. The painting of the shadows in the background was deliberate, as was the light shining on the water. I had originally wanted to paint another swimming pool scene, but as the painting evolved, decided there was more depth (!) in a sea water painting than in a swimming pool, which is man made. Having said that, I wonder if the ‘man made’ idea would have worked better for a relationship issue of Moving On. Ah well, too late. I have started my next painting, which is going to be a blonde woman brushing her hair set in half light. I want this to complement my ‘Waiting, Wishing ‘Wanting’ work as I think a pair of women, one with dark hair, one with light, would work well – and the dark frame on…
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So, Week two of this piece and I am thinking more about the story behind this painting. What started as a bit of fun, leading on from my last first attempt at water, ‘Dolce Vita’ (on the website Recent Work) has begun to develop a bit of a story and got legs, as it were (!). The sky is darkening, which is emphasising the light on the water. I can’t wait to put more detail into this light, but have to be patient and wait for the paint to dry. This could be a metaphor for the woman’s life, emerging from a troubled past into a bright future, hence her kicking up the splashes of water, which will add vivacity to the work. Again, I have to wait to paint these essential dashes of white to the water, so hopefully next week will see this sorted. Alternatively, it could just be a woman enjoying being by the water, showing off her shoes – you the viewer can decide. I am a great advocate of strong women, happy in their own skin. I am working up the water now and should be able to give it more definition by next week,…
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