Here’s the 2nd phase. I am starting to play with colors, trying to
figure out where I want cooler and warmer colors, pastels, and color blends,
opacity, etc. I’m also trying figure out
the composition. I stop, sit or stand
back a distance, and evaluate, trying to figure out what needs fixing. Well, it all needs fixing, but where do I
want to work on next? It is amazing how
many times artists have to step back to critique their work. A lot.
(Here’s a tip for artists. You
need to step back far enough from your work so that when you raise your arms
straight out at 90 degrees, you can encompass the whole painting. It will allow you to get your ‘bird’s eye
view’ so necessary for evaluation.) At
times, I feel lost, like, “What the heck are you doing?” I start to feel a bit lonely. This happens a lot for me during the creative
process, much like being alone on a boat on the high seas. It often feels like your engine is not making
much headway against the rough patches.
Russell Eng
StudioEng.com