For years, I avoided keeping a journal of my drawings and paintings because I feared the "failed page". Then I heard you could rip out pages that are totally embarrassing, and plunged in!
I painted these orchids at a local nursery and what a disaster! The yellow orchid was very pale and the purple orchid colors just looked muddy.
I painted these orchids at a local nursery and what a disaster! The yellow orchid was very pale and the purple orchid colors just looked muddy.
When I got home, I set about "reclaiming" the page, since it's the backside of another journal page and I no longer feel I have to hide my mistakes.
First, I drew an ink border on the page - instant balance! Then I intensified the colors on the yellow orchid. Since the purple orchid was already muddy, I didn't want to wade back in with color, but I wrote orchid facts all over the petals with a white gel pen. I especially like the texture the writing created on the orchid leaves….quite life-like.
I still don't like this page, but it's less awful now, and I learned a bit about how to save things.
First, I drew an ink border on the page - instant balance! Then I intensified the colors on the yellow orchid. Since the purple orchid was already muddy, I didn't want to wade back in with color, but I wrote orchid facts all over the petals with a white gel pen. I especially like the texture the writing created on the orchid leaves….quite life-like.
I still don't like this page, but it's less awful now, and I learned a bit about how to save things.
First of all, I admire your attempt on orchids. I haven't been able to be happy with one yet. BUT I think your "rescue" is amazing and you are so right, very lifelike. Great post. I hope you grow to like the page as much as I do.
ReplyDeleteThis is so much fun! NICE save, even if you're not totally happy with it, it's INTERESTING.
ReplyDeleteAnd if all else fails, glue a tinted sheet over the whole thing and begin again!
ReplyDelete