Good News and 5 more rescue steps

The good news I'd like to share with you is that three paintings have been selected for the Rotary Art Spectacular to be held at the Central Plaza, Queen Street from Tuesday 31st May to 3rd June 2016. Through this exhibition, Brisbane Rotary supports the AEIOU Foundation to create brighter futures for children with autism.

Damask Peony will be on show while Magnolias and Magnolia Diptych will be featured in the online exhibition.

 

Damask Peony - oil on canvas 760mm x 760mm ©2016 Carol Lee Beckx

In the previous post 5 Steps to rescue a painting, my comments were directed at an artist working on a painting. In fact these steps apply equally well to any artistic discipline.

Here are a few more options of a more practical nature:

1. Return to your original reference

2. Take a photograph of the work

3. Convert to black and white 

4. Use a piece of paper

5. Use a digital programme

1.Look at your original reference again and see where you found your initial inspiration. Often we lose sight of the concept and message we wanted to express. sometimes it helps to write down your ideas.

2.Take a photograph of the work and view it on your computer monitor. Often viewing the painting or drawing on a screen will show up areas that need attention.

3.Convert the image to black and white. Now you have a photograph of your work, This will give you a useful tool to assess the value range of the work. Generally paintings and drawings fail more in this area than any other.

4. Use a piece of paper to cover up the area that is giving you a problem. Try a different colour, or a different shape. Maybe something could to be added here. Perhaps you need to be brave and edit out a part of the work. An element might have been beautifully painted but if it has no value in the artwork let it go, take it out. In this way you are brainstorming a solution without putting paint to canvas.

5.Use a digital programme such as Procreate to make the adjustments suggested in #4. These programmes facilitate trying many alternate solutions before taking the big step on the canvas.