Morning Bouquet 3

The father of every good work is discontent, and its mother is diligence.

Lajos Kassak

Lots of big changes since the last time I posted. First of all I darkened the upper right corner and started blocking in the tablecloth. Here comes the "discontent" part. I don't like the tablecloth at all. The decision now is whether to even leave it in. That's one of my big problems ~ sometimes I get impulsive and add things that I don't like the next day. Then its time to balance discontent with diligence. Should I keep working on the tablecloth until it pleases me or give in to my discontent and get rid of it now? I do, however, like the way the vase is starting to shape up. And, I'm also pleased with the placement of the greenery and the flowers. Anyway, guess I'll live with this one on the easel for awhile the way it is before I make any changes.

Morning Bouquet 2

There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, and all things in succession. That which grows slowly endures.

J. G. Holland











I like the quote above ~ slow and sure wins the race! Here is the result of my second session with the Morning Bouquet. Although there doesn't seem to be too much progress at first glance there's actually a lot of new stuff going on. The table has taken on more dimension and the vase is starting to appear in the background. Another thing that is becoming very clear to me is that there is too much light in the upper right corner. Although it's not quite so obvious in person, the photograph really brings out the contrast. I had originally thought I would do red flowers but now am thinking maybe white. For now, I'm just going to keep working on the background. Once I darken the corner and add a little more green it will be easier to reach a decision on the flowers. No rush ~ steady progress.

Morning Bouquet

Be regular and orderly in your life like a bourgeois, so that you may be violent and original in your work.

Gustave Flaubert










I have hit a wall in several of the projects I'm working on and finally decided last night that I just needed to start something new and get a brush back in my hand. Keeping with the theme of "nothing is working right" this photograph doesn't come close to showing the colors on the canvas. For some reason my camera has decided to do its own color editing ~ whatever. I am not in the mood to pull out the manual and figure it out this morning. This picture does, however, capture the values that I'm going to be working with ~ at least as I have them so far. Bright light in the upper right hand corner will reflect off the left hand side of the table while the left top of the picture will fade into darkness as will the edge under the table. Getting started on the background of a painting is always the loosest painting I do and for me the most creative. I'll do a couple more sessions on this background before I begin the bouquet. I need to know where the color is going to go with this before I decide on the flowers. Next time I promise a better photo.

As far as the quote above, being "regular and orderly" in my life explains the lack of posts recently. It was thrilling last night to put aside my bourgeois existence, turn on some Beethoven and become "violent." I highly recommend it.