Progressions in my Revolution

first rough draft

I have finally finished my second series of paintings done for the mentoring program I am following..

The first  "rough draft" is on the left, the finished painting is below.

I have deleted details and forms from the first draft that I felt were confusing the reading of the painting.

I find myself searching for simplicity, trying to express my ideas by using a clearer and stronger imagery.

This, all thanks to the guidance of my mentor, Janice Mason Steeves , and by applying her suggestions to make use of   design and limits in painting. 
janicemasonsteevesartwork.blogspot.com

finished painting . oil on canvas - 50 x 70cm

second draft

The second rough draft is on the left.

The finished painting is below.

My aim was to make my statement as clear as possible, to create strong forms with color and use  a variety but a balanced series of values.

 finished painting - oil on canvas - 50 x 70 cm

At first glance you probably say that the first drafts are nothing like the finished paintings. . . there is no connection.  But if you look closely, all I have done is to pare down my ideas, limit my content, and strenthen my statement. I am still occupied by the human body and it's structural forms whether they be external or internal. My anatomical forms are often coupled to architecture because the body dwells within architectural spaces and is a balanced, proportional structure in itself.

The first painting is related in color to its first draft but a few details have been eliminated, too many small forms  detracted from the conception of the whole. In my revolution I seem to be searching for larger spaces, unifying my statement by eliminating what is superfluous. Most often, when we explain an idea using too many examples, including too many references, we create confusion, not clarity. Here, the anatomical forms dominate in size and in color and suggest unity of construction through the strength of design.

The second painting was already limited by me in color and forms presented. It is clearly the spine, the central column supporting the human body but also the structural column that is the basis of architecture and construction. By reinforcing  my color and creating larger forms there is  a stronger  image whether it be anatomical or architectural. I prefer now to suggest  connections between anatomy and architecture, no longer feeling  it  necessary to include minor details.