Trouble in Paradise: Re-designing Paintings in Progress (0nline art lesson #43)

Tabago Cays, Lillian Kennedy, acrylic painting commission, Caribbean Islands

"Tabago Cays" 25"x 64"acrylic L Kennedy (click on all images to enlarge for a better view)

A painting rarely proceeds from start to finish without rough spells . You can be sailing along beautifully and suddenly realize that you’re stuck on a reef. The painting you saw under way in A Long Weekend in the Colorado Caribbean had charcoal lines on the surface as I hadn’t resolved the palms. This week, let’s think about some techniques / rescue equipment for  trying out differing solutions to a problem area.

working it out with vine charcoal

working it out with vine charcoal

Trying out ideas on the surface with vine charcoal.  Marking to test curves, rhythm, design, etc.  This helps with imagining how the painting might look  with such changes.  The vine (not compressed) charcoal dusts right off without leaving a mark when it is used over dry acrylic.

time to start from the beginning again with the palms

time to start from the beginning again with the palms

Lillian Kennedy  - Caribbean painting commission in process, acrylic

I tried putting in some ground plants, but it made the beach feel too narrow. Who wants a cramped beach? Better take them out and put in the shadow of the palm.

 

Not anxious at all bout the process with only one day before delivery.

A day at the beach? I don't think so - trying to resolve paintings can make you feel a bit crazy

 

 Now that palm looks a little too lonely.  I want  "isolated" not lonely.  www.weeklyartlesson.com

Now that palm looks a little too lonely. I want "isolated" not " lonely".

Using a handleless broken brush - anything to get my interest up.

Using a broken brush because I thought it might be fun - anything to get my interest back.

Lillian Kennedy - palm trees, acrylic painting detail

This will do - palm trees, acrylic painting detail

To see three other painting that are part of this commissioned series ,  check out these old lessons from back when this blog was The Virtual Art Salon:

I never showed the finished pieces, but there are some good tips in the posts.
Ports of Call, Part II

Ports of Call, Part I

St Jean Cap Ferrat on the French Riviera (25" x 64" acrylic ) is one of the other commissions delivered this week.  Lillian Kennedy

St Jean Cap Ferrat on the French Riviera (25" x 64" acrylic ) is one of the other commissions delivered this week. Lillian Kennedy

 

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7 Responses to Trouble in Paradise: Re-designing Paintings in Progress (0nline art lesson #43)

  1. nancy t. says:

    I like the resolution of the problem, and the tip about the vine charcoal is a great one! nancy

  2. Lillian Kennedy says:

    Thanks Nancy … the vine charcoal saves me a LOT of grief both before I begin to paint and during the painting process.

  3. Ann Hayes says:

    What a difference a day makes! The struggle is evident. The success is. Transported!
    Ann

  4. Ann Hayes says:

    Whoops! I meant to say “The struggle is NOT evident” . . .

  5. BRAVO!!! …you are the maestro! It’s perfect. Congratulations!

    • Lillian Kennedy says:

      Thanks! It is such a relief to have them delivered. Today I did a really loose geraniums in order to just express with color and movement.

  6. Tamilou says:

    Thanks for another great tip!

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