Return of the knife, part ii.
I’m a huge fan of using the palette knife pk108 whether I’m working in oils, acrylics or watercolors. Its very immediate and direct. Paintings take on a life of their own with expressive lively movement that the knife gives.
This time, I happen to be painting in Acrylics.
Before
A simple playful hour spent slathering on my favorite color, Cobalt Teal blue! As revealed in the post Palette Knife in Cobalt Teal green in November.
After
Tips to Resolve a Painting
Over the last several weeks, I’ve had a chance to let the dust settle.
Assess the overall image for major issues.
Calming the waters and the sky helped focus the painting. It lightened the overall appearance to create an improved tonal value balance.
The #1 problem is usually a tonal value issue: inadequate Light, Mid, Dark tones. For everyone, myself included.
Keeping my Palette simple and limited was crucial.
Adding that hint of a tree line, a Ridge, that goes along the upper right hand side also helps the design.
Be Judicious.
I really didn’t need to do much.
Just a few fine touch ups to make all the difference between wanting to trash the thing and wanting to keep it. Persistence does seem to pay off.
debi riley 
Love the header.
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hi Anneli, thank you! I’ve changed them all…. and set several different headers to rotate and change and you flip thru my site and pages. Keeps it – Interesting 🙂 in other words, someone may have been getting a bit bored!! LOL hope you are enjoying your lovely holidays. cheers, Debi
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I haven’t checked out how to do that. Another project for me. Holidays are going well, thanks. Yours too, I hope.
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I only found out last year, someone on WP told me its in customize, headers and randomize. LOL people are so helpful!! Glad to hear your holidays are Good Anneli 🙂 Cheers, Debi
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I also love your new design…I think that you have changed it up. I am finding that going back after a breather and working on a painting is fun and relaxing. I really appreciate you even you Debi, my art hero struggles with values as well?! I feel better all ready…..but then your first attempt was part of the journey of that particular painting? I am enjoying my new found attitude that perhaps a painting is not done, is there yet more of the story to be unveiled? that is an exciting view point. Thank you Debi for again reiterating this in my art discoveries, you confirmed and validate that slow approach, letting the painting simmer, waiting for a few more spices. 🙂
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good morning M! yes, its changed up LOL You made a wise comment Margaret…. the first pass was part of the journey. wise and Liberating at the same time!! every painting seems to have its Own story. some are slow, some short. some love to simmer away…. THIS is something I did not accept or ‘get’ for a great many years. I’m smiling that you have written it so well 🙂
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hehe…..sometimes it bubbles up and I forget what I write….but it always comes from the inner spirit and heart. I love those journeys don’t you? nothing like it. 🙂
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Exactly. yes!! and amen 🙂
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“Persistence” – perfect as we approach a new year. Love the new look. One of my resolutions is to do the same. 🙂
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Thanks Andrew, I’m happy the new look is working well so far. Apostrophe – had some wonderful things I loved, but I wanted to test a couple of new themes out. Did the little miss enjoy her Christmas… or, did the grandparents enjoy the watching! 🙂
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Very beautiful.
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thank you so much Nico! cheers, Debi
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What a difference between the two, a lovely end result! A lesson to be learnt here – never throw away failed art projects…
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Thanks Evelyn!
I’ll often, go ahead and post my ‘not so great’ art beginnings simply because I like to let people know that there is hope.
these things can be resolved – in time!!
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