Somehow December came and went and I could not think of anything of note that needed to be dwelt upon in that month, so it was a time to purchase some excellent art books that I have wanted (secretly giving myself Christmas presents) and buying some Italian large round paintbrushes so that I can try some ‘freeing up’ in my next paintings.
So, here is January again and another stock take on last year’s progress and a view of what might happen this year. I think there has to be a little more experimentation and more effort to express my landscapes in a fresher, more vibrant, and a more considered way. I feel to some degree that although several paintings got part way through the selection process of a number of exhibitions last year, there was a lack of ‘quality’ and veracity that did not come through in the work, and which did not grab the attention of the viewer.
Here are some paintings that show how I am tyring to put these problems right. I need to do more sketch work as starting point for paintings, and through this discipline develop a way of integrating the expression I get in these sketches into more vibrant paintings. I have started using chalks and pastels with the charcoal lines and hope to get a looser definition in one sense and a more considered composition in another. Mark making with these allows for alterations to be quickly achieved and for many more editions to be produced around the same subject so that various compositions can be considered before painting begins.
Secondly I need to change or consider other options in the way I apply paint. I am going to try larger round brushes which will give a more diffused outlines and softer marks so that I can vary the emphasis in parts of the painting. Also, I need to consider texture more and perhaps start to use a heavier application of paint building up a more complex structure within the images. This should add interest and depth to my work if done with skill.
Perhaps next month will show some these first steps in practice.
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