….she said. Just like that. How to respond? Actually, at this stage of the process I don’t like my picture either, so I say rather lamely, “Well, it isn’t finished yet.” The trouble is, of course, that I started out with a definite image in my head, and as things stand at the moment I’m not sure how I might realise it.
A part of the problem is that I have not used acrylic paint for some time now, and I’m struggling with the feeling that I’ve forgotten how to do it. It isn’t a good start that I begin with the wrong brush. Then I realise that, having begun to paint, the original drawing was not correctly proportioned. Now the acrylic comes into its own, and I correct the drawing and paint out the wrong bit. I still don’t like the picture, although there is now a sense of direction (of a kind).
A part of the problem lies (I begin to think) in the fact that I am re-using an old canvas. The image on it was heavily textured, so that even having covered it with two layers of gesso and one of titanium white the original texture is still strongly evident. My expectation was that I could use this to enhance the interest of the surface. I’m not so sure.
Returning to the task after dinner I realise that the texture does actually work as I hoped. I still have to admit that I don’t actually like the picture, but I am beginning to believe that it might have potential. After all, some of the most important details are still not present, the intention of which is to strengthen the composition and make the real symbolic point. At this point I decide to do what often turns out to be the wisest move in the development of a painting. Leave it overnight and see how it looks in the morning. After all, I do have some writing to do that would benefit from it being fresh in my mind.
I wonder how I will feel about this picture in the morning.