A surprise

I returned to this painting one last time. If you recall, I posted a few original stages of this painting back in the early summer -- refresh your memory
-- but I wasn't sure where I was going or if I was just going to abandon it. It's not unusual to put something aside for a while and let it stew.

So I picked it back up this week and went at it with some gouache -- that's a water-based opaque paint. Unlike watercolors, the paint can be applied in thicker layers that fully obscure what is underneath.

She is still a bit bizarre looking, but I rather like that in a portrait. Here's the progression:


First washes of watercolor over ink lines....

Then I ran it under the faucet because I wasn't happy with it. Some colors remained and I began again........

Then this week, after leaving it alone for about 6 months.....I added gouaches.

 

I think I'll leave her alone for another 6 months. At least.

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Wasn't gonna post on the weekends --

But I want to move on from these. So here's the original painting of the woman with beads (top) and two variations. The third (bottom) is actually a different woman, but I thought she made a good addition to the series. I find when I paint a series, painting the same thing over and over again but in a decidedly different manner, it forces me to try new things. I experiment, whereas previously I might have just depended on old techniques. This is particularly fruitful when I'm pleased with the first result. Then everything that follows is gravy -- no pressure.

"Beads No. 2" (top)  Ink and watercolor on paper. Purchase a print here.

"Beads No. 3" (center) Ink and watercolor on paper. Purchase a print  here.

"Beads No. 1" (bottom)  Ink and watercolor on paper. Purchase a print here.

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