Like many artists I find it really difficult, sometimes, to know when a painting is finished. Especially the small ones. This one, for example, has been feeling 'finished' almost since the white texture went on it. White on black - it conveyed so much that nothing else was needed... except it did need some white paint on top of the texture and that spoiled the immediacy of it so I brought in some grey shadows and light (weight) touches of purple and alizarin red.
As I looked at it I was certain I was standing before a snow-laden hill in darkness, asking my companion, in exhaustion, "Are we nearly there?"
But back in the reality of my studio I am looking at a canvas and wondering if my imagination is too vivid for my own good, so I've taken a photo of it - and a close-up - to try and become more objective about it.
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| Are We Nearly There? 30cms x 24cms [Is it finished?] |
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| (Detail) |
