Once again, another breakthrough night of painting. Like last week, I was actually painting - I was free to paint without reservation, and able to be expressive. There's really no way to describe the difference between recreating what you see, and really painting. Even Joseph commented on that. I'm excited to apply this idea to other subjects.
This is last night's head study. I had such a exhilarating time. I felt that I was really painting, not just faithfully recreating what I saw. There's a difference. I am happy with the finished product, even though the process was way more important and satisfying. Not painting the eyes was only a little difficult for me. When I blurred my eyes, this is what I saw - the eyes were completely lost in the shadow.
I think I made it through a valley last night, as I have turned a corner in Joseph's class. This could possibly be my most successful head yet. I am starting to realize that I have to simplify my subject into accurate shapes that are either light or dark, before I start with any transitional values/colors, and long before any detail is shown. This was a two-hour painting, which is why it seems unfinished. I would have liked to get to some of the collar, but I am happy overall.
This is the first head study I've done in a while that I actually like. I don't enjoy doing profiles at all, but this was the model's pose, so I just focused on the challenge. Joseph is really pushing me to see all shapes as dark or light, and to eliminate all details until later. Very difficult. But if I have the values and shapes correct, the details don't matter all that much!
