Sometimes it is hard to know if changing the original idea is improving matters or not. Below are three takes on the same subject. There is not a photo of the set-up, but the first image below is the closest to the subject matter, which was painted from life last week. I decided to remove the red pomegranate shape on the table level, which I thought dominated the pattern of the light roses above.
Take One
Take Two
Goodbye pomegranate -- now, with that strong color removed, the roses came more into focus. Then I started thinking (uh oh) that the red berry shapes by the roses were too dominant, especially without the red shape on the table, so I muted them, as below:
Take Three, "Welcome Home," 30 x 20, Gallery Wrap
Now, looking at all three, I'm not certain that I improved matters, but c'est la vie...At least Take Three is softer, more about the roses, and quite different, just by changing a few elements. Such judgments, large and small, are the stuff of painting that can't be defined. It is a personal call, not always right or wrong, but surely different!
I love all of them but think I prefer the looseness of the third rendition. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteAll three are beautiful, but I have to admit I like the third painting the best. Such beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteWell there is a consensus! I love all three but the third is my favorite. I like the way it dominates more of the canvas and I love the softness. Though I do like the pop of red in the first two...the third one is calmer and lets my eyes rest. I just love it!
ReplyDeleteMe 4 - voting for #3, tho all are beautiful! Maybe it's my computer screen, but I love the warmer tones which I think adds to the softness? Whatever the reason, it's dreamy :) Love it!
ReplyDeleteI like the last one too, I think taking out the berries left the warm area which mixed in with the green leaves creating a gorgeous shade of warm green/ gray. Could you have got that without the first red step? I loved seeing the progression and thanks for sharing the thought process too. Invaluable to know others go through it too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the journey of your thoughts through this painting.
ReplyDeleteI must echo all the rest...#3! :)
I agree with the others... I lke t# 3 also!!! Stunning!
ReplyDeleteNancy, I agree, #3 is the one. All are beautiful. Thank you for sharing your ideas, it is so informative to see how other artists approach paintings, and problem solving. Hope to see you in Seattle sometime.
ReplyDeleteI really like number three and I love the title. Beautiful work.
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