8/16/08

TAKING ON A CHALLENGE

Jane James provided the photo to the left for a July paint challenge for one of the Yahoo online groups called Watercolor Workshop. I decided to try this one on YUPO to see what I could come up with.

The results posted to the right were very predictable and indicative of how I paint when given an assignment. Although I submitted this first attempt to the group, I knew I wanted to pursue the subject more.
I adjusted the same painting several times before I felt I was getting anywhere. The third post here shows some progress, a bit more contemporary but still not what I had envisioned.
Susan Roper from the group helped me out with a critique part way through which I much appreciated. After simplifying the background areas some, I called it quits - see the last painting posted here.
It's great to work on YUPO with watercolor because adjustments are fairly easy and fun to do. George James calls it deconstruction and reconstruction of a painting.
The finished painting's stored in a drawer now, and I doubt I'll do any more to it. It was fun taking on the group challenge, but I think I paint better when I'm challenging myself.
"PARTY CRASHERS" Transparent Watercolor on Heavy Weight YUPO 20 x 26"

6 comments:

sandy said...

Well I love the first one you did as much as the bottom one...

Dawn said...

The last one is the best one. You are not going to frame it? you should! I really like the reference pic too.

Sandy said...

Although I like the first one,I like how you simplified the background in the last one ..it gives more emphasis /impact to the subject.
A beautiful painting sandy ...I do hope you frame it.

Anita Davies said...

Oh that last shot is simply stunning!!!

Linda Schuler said...

I saw this painting today when I was painting with sandy. I really liked it. It was so different from the other one that she started with. Great job!!

Anonymous said...

I saw this painting for the first time today. I really liked it and I thought it was sooooo much better than the first one. Great job Sandy. Good Luck this week-end.