Guidance

Last, post I shared two preliminary studies. I began painting the picture and then had a mentoring session with Michael Newberry. In our session, Michael suggested I work to create a much deeper sense of space in the painting and do a pastel abstractly representing the spatial qualities of the figure. In trying to fulfill his directives, I managed to deviate 180 degrees from my original studies. I lost the values represented in the atmospheric study (posted on Aug 8) and I lost the color qualities, the blueness, when I did the pastel.

I am not showing the pastel but I have posted both pictures. First is the original painting. It follows the values of the atmospheric study. In the second, I created deep space but lost track of the intent of the study. When Michael pointed out that I had essentially ignored my preliminary work, I was upset with myself. How could I how be so dense?

However, something good usually comes from tribulation. On reflection, I think the second rendition is more mysterious. I like the glow around the figure. It feels mystical to me. If you wonder why the figure looks rough, it is because I worked only the background while trying to figure out deep space.

I am at decision point. I could go back to the original intent or I can go with the new. I am doing some thumbnails and another pastel focused on having globes go deep, deep in space. I believe that sometimes our mistakes are our best guidance. I am thinking that may be so in this case.