Sunday, February 6, 2011

A Day in the Life of a Painting

A day in the life of a painting...


Make some marks.


Think about it awhile.


Mix up some more paint. Make some more marks. 



Wonder why you made those marks.  Think about starting laundry. Wonder about a guy who could invent the washing machine.  



 Decide the original marks are acceptable and define areas of movement, value and temperature.



Ponder the composition. Forget to remember to start laundry. Wonder what it would be like to be an airline pilot. Think about starting supper.



Continue developing the shapes.  Add more texture to the foreground.  Wish I'd paid better attention in art class.


Look at the painting upside down. Think about putting laundry in dryer.  Remember it's not yet in the washer. 


Study the painting in a mirror.  Notice the mirror needs dusting.  Remember to think about starting laundry.



Consider what kind of  marks would read as tree limbs. Wonder what happened to the kid down the block we used to chase in 3rd grade. 



Focus.  Drum up everything I've learned about color theory.  Forget what day it is.  Step back, take a breath.
Decide it's done.  Do a happy dance.  Go start laundry.


©2011 Patricia Scarborough, Return 11x14 oil

Decide it's not done. Sweat bullets. Make a few changes. Relax and pat myself on the back, I'm done - again.

Skip the happy dance, go start laundry and supper.  No, really.

7 comments:

Gwenn Seemel said...

Love this!

Staring IS the most important part of painting...unless it's staring while letting one's mind wander.

Also, I did the laundry today...but that's only because I'm in a research phase of some work instead of in a painting phase! ;)

Patty said...

Thanks for stopping by, Gwen. Musta been laundry day all over the world - or a frustrating studio day!

Hannah Phelps said...

I LOVE THIS POST!!! I have yet to see a more honest demo of landscape painting.
So your studio is in your house too.... I am sure that those with studios outside the home find other things to think about though...

Patty said...

Hannah, thanks! Another layer of romanticism peeled off!

Unknown said...

Yup, you've described it to a tee. FUN POST! xoxo

Hannah said...

I loved reading your description of a day in your painting life. Very funny --you've got a great sense of humor and the resulting painting is gorgeous to boot. You've got a good thing going here...

Patty said...

Hannah, thanks for laughing along. Looks like I have lots of company out there!