The Vagabond Artist – Wrapping Up Two Paintings

I’m still the vagabond artist, but in a more home-like place for a while. I wanted to finish the paintings I started in August; I am wrapping up two paintings and am SO close.  I wanted to get feedback from my coaching group and incorporate any recommended changes.

Bubbles Up – Coaches’ Feedback

I decided to rename this painting of my siter-in-law to “Bubbles Up” as a tribute to one of Jimmy Buffet’s last songs and since she is raising a glass of champagne. This is where I left off from last week:

I received some feedback from the Mastery Program coaches. My primary coach, Heather Bailey, said “You might want to layer in more variety to the blue water for a more naturalistic overall hue. And some popping highlights on the main goblet and the tip of her nose would be fantastic.”

Another coach, Casey Wakefield, said “Definitely on track! I would recheck the angle of her nose and sunglasses compared to the source. The angle of the mouth, nose and eyes (sunglasses) should all be on the same angle. So, lowering the left nostril down to the angle of the mouth will help fix it.” She even gave me a photo where she drew over the painting and the source to show what need fixing.

Coach Rita Vicari said “looking really great so far! I love the way you did the background. You already got great suggestions, I would make her smile a little wider and the top of the head should go a little lower.”

I incorporated their feedback, and this is what she looks like after making the suggested changes. I added my signature hummingbird.

I was getting ready to move to oils but also hesitant to do so. I haven’t used oils in a few months and the principals are different from acrylic. One thing I struggle with is remembering to only use cool colors for the background and warm colors for the areas you want to come forward. I finally stopped procrastinating and set up my palette.

I had a group coaching call and brought this for further feedback. My coach noted that her skin on the right side was too wide and that the strand of hair on the right looked too clumpy. She also gave me advice on how to make the hair not look so flat by adding more value to the colors. This is where I ended up and think I’m done except for maybe adding a few more highlights. What do you think?

Moon Lady (Beyond the Universe)

I spent some time on this one that I’m titling “Beyond the Universe.” The bicycle wheels were giving me fits. The front wheel is turned so sharply that it makes the shape seem unrealistic. I Had to make it bigger and narrower, but it still looked wrong. I tried adding spokes and they were way off.

I ended up taking pictures of a bike at the store and my one bike. I decided the painting was missing the structure that held the hub for the spokes. I think I ended up with a passable version on the spokes. I switched to oil paint and did most of the background with a glaze. I’m now working on the foreground and the woman and her bicycle. It’s not done but I’m making progress.

Takeaways

As an artist, it helps to have people who can provide helpful critiques. I have developed thicker skin through this whole process and recognize I need all the help I can get. You help me just by being here. Thank you.