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| Colour of Gabriola Acrylic 16x20 |
So, I have been painting in a small bedroom in this little rented condo for two weeks - all in acrylics. Not ideal but now I am looking at it as a way to learn what I can and cannot do without. I have a great studio set up now in Comox but we are considering the move to a smaller place and it would help a lot to know just what I truly need.
After two weeks its clear what I miss the most (i.e. cannot do without). I thought it would be to do with the painting area -easels, work surfaces etc. But no its:
- space in the studio. I normally, particularly as the painting nears completion, apply a stroke or two then walk back about 12 ft to evaluate. My day is a constant back and forth. Without it I find I can't accurately see the effect of each added spot of colour.
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| Critiquing at my Comox living room |
- An effective area for self-critique. At home I place paintings-in-progress in a good frame on an easel in our living room considering what it needs to make it stronger under different lighting conditions - for minutes, hours or days. Some I hang on our walls and consider for longer. Cannot stress how important that is and has been for my learning and to improve individual paintings.
- The jars of premixed acrylic colours of know value. I generally have at least a dozen mixed with the colour painted on the top so I know what the final drying value/colour will be.
- A utility sink and work room. Right now I am washing brushes in the toilet - yes, the toilet. Really miss my big sink and work area - for gessoing, varnishing, etc etc.
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| Jars of pre mixed colours of known value |
We do the best we can with what we have.
Cheers.
Love that painting of Gabriola at the top of this piece. I love the looseness of your work and strive for this in my work, but it always seems to come out `tight and clean`! If you are going to be back in Comox for a bit I would love to come up and spend a day or two with you.
ReplyDeleteSure, would enjoy getting together. But don't fight who you are - your work is very strong.
DeleteWow, I really hear you about the sink. I paint mostly at home, but rent a small studio space largely to have access to a sink for brush cleaning, since I prefer not to do that at home. As for the rest, I know you to be an inventive, creative artist and I'll bet you'll figure out a way to have the space you need to move and observe...somehow.
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