Monday, September 13, 2010
Work-in-Progress: Galloping Horses drawing
Albiet slow -- after all, this rendering is competing with my mental and emotional navigation (smile) of my now "empty nest" -- the current work-in-progress is beginning to take shape. This photo of it shows the placement of all the horses as well as some of the landforms. The image still appears very flat, as this only depicts some of the base coat: soon I will begin to lay in the upper layers and building more depth and dimension into the piece.
As I have continued to work on this piece, I've begun to feel somewhat more comfortable with the lack of close detail as well as the image's ambiguity that I..........okay..........whined about during my previous post. In retrospect, I was attempting to intellectualize the process rather than just following my gut instincts. So I am pushing through my mental obstacles with this piece, and in so doing am learning a tremendous amount about myself. For example, in working through this drawing I frequently find that I'm struggling to trust my ability to make the artistic decisions needed to execute it. While I've been very aware of a periodic lack of confidence while addressing challenges during previous drawings, this nagging sensation has been nearly relentless since beginning this piece. Seeing no other way around it except to go through it, I will, of course, press on -- realizing that I have much to learn from the struggle itself.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
i love the silhouetted shapes of the running horses, though the work is restrained in detail it packs movement.
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting to see the development of this piece, Lynda. I'm so glad you did a post of this stage. The suggestion of background adds a lot of meaning and feeling. I wonder if, as a viewer, I'm going to feel like I'm in an oncoming stampede? That would be a very powerful drawing indeed! Can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa, and thanks for your comment. As this piece is such a different approach for me, I simply hope I can do the image justice (as well as maintaining / increasing that sense of movement as the image progresses). Stay tuned -- haha.
ReplyDeleteDebbi, I HOPE you feel like you are about to be run over -- hahahaha -- that would be AWESOME! (For the refs the horses were literally running at the camera, then split and went around.) You are well aware I think that this is uncomfortable for me -- the last couple of pieces I challenge my comfort level, and then hold my breath until its done. lolol. (Not to mention, it is again BIGGER.........more sandpaper to coverrrrr......arrrggghhh!) Whine, whine, whine. Thanks for your words -- I always value them, my friend.
Oh Lynda....it sounds like maybe you were thinking the way I used to do with tests. I would over rationalize the question, thinking that there has to be more to the answer than what I have written down(self-doubt). We second guess ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you're overcoming that feeling. It looks as if it won't be the detail that will be important, but the technique, color and composition. I believe you're heading for success on all three on this one girl!!
Who knows? That painting MAY persuade me to get up on a horse in about ten months! ;) (Just not running so fast....okay more like a saunter. lolol)
Hahahahaha.........now Dianna, I never thought I'd hear you say you may be willing to do THAT! GIDDYAP!
ReplyDeleteYes, the piece is moving along with less negative internal dialog -- chuckle -- these days: I just needed to get out of my own way!
That's such a good way of putting it! Don't we all need to get out of our own way. Love it.
ReplyDeleteI love this, right now, the way it is. The simple starkness and the 'flatness' you mentioned gives it a very contemporary, somewhat abstract quality. Right now it is all about the shapes and they are wonderful. Glad to hear there is less negative dialog these days!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking this same thing the other day, Teresa; that there seems to be an abstract quality to it. I think it will retain alot of this -- at least I hope so! -- because of the nature of the composition and shapes.
ReplyDeleteIntellectualizing or what ever-you have a great piece going here, Lynda. will be interesting to see where you go with it. Just don't over analyze things. Just go with your gut feelings and it will work out.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gary. It is going more smoothly as of late, and I have stopped being my own worst enemy -- haha -- for the time being anyway!
ReplyDeleteI really wanted to draw 4 horses for the competition in the JSC but i never would have thought that it was hard to find! >:<
ReplyDelete