This morning however, I see wonky, mis-shapen and out-of-proportion eyes and lips, narrow sloping shoulders (her dress will fall off if she's not careful!) and she's too mournful looking. I'm not happy either! Time for the eraser!
I'm fine about starting again at this stage. It's only the preliminary sketch after all. It's when you've put the hours of effort in that makes it all the harder. I have a 'finished' painting I've had on my wall for months that I've only just noticed has out of sync features. I'm a little scared to cover up those soulful eyes... but now I see the problem I know I have to.
It's a metaphor for life of course too. Admitting to ourselves that we've taken a wrong path and despite all we've given that course, being brave enough to start afresh down a new one (or maybe just going back past that bend in the road and putting in some serious repair that goes well below surface dressing!).
What's interesting though is what we find on the other path. My marriage disintegration took me on a new romantic path (he's sleeping softly in the room next door. If I knew it wouldn't wake him, I'd nip in their and snuggle up....). When I was made redundant from a job I loved I chose to take a step along the road of self-employment and I haven't looked back.
I'm ready to start again on this sketch and have the faith that the painting I once loved is just waiting for me to take her on the next step to maturity - even now she's telling me that if I don't do it, she knows a plastic surgeon who will...
Posting for Sunday Sketches. Pop along to Blue Chair Diary and see what everyone else's pencils are teaching them!
Posts
I rather like her melancholy look! But you are so right, sometimes we need to start anew, and make something out of the stones we stumble over! Valerie
ReplyDeleteI love wonky!! Have you noticed that the most beautiful things in life are not perfect; that people who are the most fascinating are not picture pretty? Someone once told me that the sign of true art is some imperfection somewhere! So I suppose we are true works of art, oh brave and courageous woman!
ReplyDeleteYes when one paths closes another one tends to open up. I think the trick is to see the opening and not to look at the one closing :) Even the errors the lady has a nice feel.
ReplyDeleteThink this post has got us all thinking now, lol, but still I like sketches that are wonky - like the one on your wall for instance I wouldn't change because it is how you painted it at the time and therefore perfect of that moment. It's true you should always change your direction if you are on the wrong path, but then again you cannot erase one you have already taken. I don't like half my work as a finished result, but I appreciate it for giving me that happy time while creating it. Wow long comment, sorry, thanks so much for sharing, Jennibellie :)
ReplyDeleteOh I love your metaphor... and it is so true... funny how those little things can trigger something much deeper... can't wait to see your girl after her 'reshaping'...
ReplyDeleteJenny x
Well, she has my shoulders so I feel for her there. I like her melancholy expression. It gives her interest. I wouldn't start over. I'd just even up the eyes and lengthen the chin a bit and she'd be really wonderful. I love the tilt of her head and the sweep of her hair.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa....I only noticed these things once you mentioned them....I think she looks neat and different.....great work!
ReplyDeleteGreat metaphor ~ Life is change ~ Being brave to move along is key ~ yet this morning I am 'dragging' ~ I needed to read this to 'poke me' into the day ~ thanks, namaste, CArol (Share the Creative Journey) linked with Sunday Sketches ^_^
ReplyDeleteI love the dappled blue background in this and I honestly believe that some of the most interesting art (and people, for that matter) are quite "wonky" :) Hee hee
ReplyDeletexo
Kristin
Okay. So. I have an idea for your sketch. Here it is.....
ReplyDeleteDon't erace anything! Take out a new sketch material, perhaps charcoal? Draw right over her, leaving the evidence of the previous sketch. I once had a professor make me do this...it's liberating AND it created a pretty cool final outcome. It's nice to see the process, the mark making that went into creating something. Put away your eraser and try it! :)
Love your post and look forward to see where you go with this lovely sketch. I am a big fan of moving forward and at times reinventing ourselves. I went from being the President of a College to a Starving Artist because my Soul needed to create art everyday and while it's been an adjustment, I wake up with a smile on my face each and everyday because I'm living authentically (and not really starving...LOL)
ReplyDeleteLet's just say her face has character and leave it at that! Wonderful, melancholy painting! Nice reflective post.
ReplyDeleteI like her kinda mournful expression. It definitely goes with the blue color theme, which I think was done beautifully.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you sound exactly like me after I've drawn someone. I go crazy beating myself up over proportions, but I actually wouldn't have noticed that here if ya hadn't mentioned it! ;-)
to me she looks like a real person, with an interesting life story to tell.
ReplyDeleteI like her expression too! This is a timely post for me - really made me think and it applies to my life at the moment!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insight.
Smiles
xo
Gorgeous Lisa..I think she is magnificent..and carries much unseen power...beautfiful too! Shine on..thanks for sharing your insights..and story!
ReplyDeleteVictoria
I like it. for me, I would restart only if I didn't like the work. perhaps some things you just have to leave behind.
ReplyDeletehave a lovely day.
Great post, Lisa. Love how you often get us each to thinking about and through things. Thank you! Your piece is very emotional and thought provoking in itself. Nice work. :)
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteAlot in this sketch and in your words too. Happy for you that your brave steps have led to some happiness in the process. That is lovely.
As a former contributor, just wanted to tell you that I am closing Hot Toast and Jam so thought you might enjoy its last post.
I will still be visiting just not as much (as if I have been that frequent anyway) as one might expect when hosting a personal blog, verses an art one.
Let me just say then, thank you for your support along the way..esp. in the XMAS tea (what a blast). Here's wishing you the best until we chat again.
your story and your sketch are inspirational. and i kind of like her wonky look... it gives her character and makes her interesting!
ReplyDeleteYou artwork AND story are inspirational! Isn't it funny how when we think we're done and finally step away from our sketch for a while THAT'S when we notice the imperfections...and sometimes there's beauty in those imperfect features and we let it be, but rarely (in my case). I'm like you in wanting to fix what I know doesn't seem right, even if others can't see it. Then when you fix it they agree you were right in reconstructing her/him.
ReplyDeleteGreat portrait! Love the blues. Can't wait to see more of your work!!
it really is interesting how we can enjoy and like something and look at it later and want to change things or wonder how we could have missed how out of balance something is. thank you for sharing your process. I look forward to seeing what you do with this. It is a wonderfully moody piece.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post - and i enjoy your lady - she is a bit wild and perhaps pondering something heavy too! But we all feel like that time to time and presenting it in artwork can be a gift - not to mention therapeutic! I like her - if you do more will be interested to see where she goes!
ReplyDeleteAnother philosophical thought would be that things always take on a different light when you view them during the day in opposition to night. I admire your decision to redo. Some of the great painters from all time were known to take paintings of of their walls years after the initial painting and add or take away blemishes.
ReplyDeleteyep, our art shares lessons with us...she does draw you in and think deeply though.
ReplyDeletedana
I love how you make art and real life intertwine in your writing. It's interesting and often right on the mark.
ReplyDelete♥
I think she's beautiful, in many cases it's the "faults" that add character. ^-^
ReplyDeleteI do admire you for not being afraid of grabbing that eraser and changing what's bugging you. I usually go with the "what's done is done" once a painting is finished, but during the process I can change endlessly!
// - T.W-
I'm kind of liking the look, but get where you're coming from and definitely agree that sometimes we need to start over and not be afraid to see where that might take us as well! Great post...and timely for a situation that I'm facing! Thanks for the courage to move ahead full steam in a new direction! Pop Art Minis
ReplyDeleteYou gave me goosebumps with your insight. :) I love it when my art brings me to that place. I'm happy for you, too. :)
ReplyDelete