Fantasy Painting by a Vagabond Artist | Weekly Update
As a vagabond artist, now, it has been a challenge to keep painting while outside my normal studio. This week I had a big ego boost as I found out that two of my paintings hanging at the winery were sold!
I took the majority input I received from last week’s post, telling me to focus my next series of paintings on fantasy scenes. I actually had decided to go down a different route, but when I did the initial layer on my canvas, fantasy spoke to me.
This Week’s Painting
I was deep into resistance in getting started with my next painting. I found several things to distract me rather than painting. I finally said, just get something on canvas at least!
I started with my normal process of using transparent acrylic washes. Then I used the water-based spray paint to add some texture and form. I had placed a few circular items on the canvas before I sprayed, and the resultant spheres looked more like a fantasy scene than the original thought I had of doing an older couple dancing.
I searched for a reference photo that would fit and came up with this one:
I sketched it in charcoal on the canvas and sprayed it with a workable fixative. I laid in some light undertones.
I decided to add an elf ear and worked more on the flesh tones.
Then I focused on the butterfly. The details were excruciating, but I think it looks pretty good at this stage. I presented this version during my weekly coaching session and received feedback to darken the background so that the butterfly would stand out better and to darken the hair. I was also told the elf ear was anatomically incorrect and needed to move back away from the face and be shorter in length.
This is where I’m at today with the painting. I still need to work more on the ear before I move to oils where I’ll bring out the flesh tones better and add more depth. My goal was to finish four paintings – it looks like I will only end up at three. Still not bad considering the challenges of painting on the road.
New Website
I’m in the midst of changing my website to a different provider and having it look more like an online store. This is the temporary link to access it for the next few days. It is password protected and the password is MilanArt. If you get a chance, check it out and tell me what you think.
https://orca-halibut-y2l6.squarespace.com
Takeaways
I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the changes going on in my art life. I’m nervous about the upcoming artist’s reception and excited about selling my art. I am so thankful for you that have kept with me during all the ups and downs of making art. Thank you.
