Glare is NOT My Friend

"Riley" 

Oil on Canvas, 8" sq., c. Catherine Vines

   

This is Riley. We lived next door to each other in my old home. There was a wonderful advantage to that:

If he didn't behave, I could threaten to send him home. Worked every time.

You can't do that with your own children!

We can't decide about his expression. Has he just been caught doing something? Is he waking up from a nap? Catching a cold? Regardless, he's wonderful.

In the Zone

"Squinting in the Sun"

Oil on Canvas, 6" sq., c. Catherine Vines

   

Sometimes - some times - the paint just flows off the brush. Halleluiah!

Of course that belies the question, "Should the title have been, 'Something doesn't smell good here?'"

My biggest reservation is in the photo the highlights in her hair look flesh-colored rather that blond,

which means not only does the painting have to be right, but the colors have to photograph right. Now that can be a lot to ask.

A Photo Can Show a Painting's Weaknesses

Portrait - In Progress V

Oil on Canvas, 6" sq., c. Catherine Vines

I thought I was done until I saw the photos. Even bad photos like this (low light and reflections) can show where a painting still needs work.

In this case, her left jaw line is still wrong. And the dark accents in the top of her hair stand out like a sore thumb. Her lips don't have enough dimension. Stop!

One thing at a time.

Until tomorrow.