A Painting In Progress....

Texas Creek WIP
Pastel on Pastelboard
©Randy Hamburg

Recently we were driving some of the back roads in Texas and came across a creek bed running through a field normally used for grazing.  Since it's spring here, the wildflowers were in full bloom and looked like a quilt across the countyside.  I quickly took a few reference pictures and began planning my painting.  To add a bit of interest, I've added some mountains in the distance which aren't found in southeast Texas.

One of the questions we have as painters is how to say what we want to say with our paintings.  When I began painting, I took the reference very literally and tried to paint it exactly as it was.  In some cases this meant putting in each and every blade of grass, every tree (and its limbs), drawing each ripple in the water.  As I've grown as an artist, I've realized that kind of detail causes "over painting" a scene.  If I wanted that detail, why not just have the photo framed?

I think most new artists go through the same thing.  In trying to exactly recreate a photo reference we learn so much about color value, color mixing, perspective and a myriad of other things that are necessary to grow.  After going through this stage, we come to realize that we can make changes.  If I don't like where a tree is in the reference, I have the license to move it or delete it entirely if it makes a stronger composition.  It's a continuing process.  As long as we paint, we continue to learn what makes a strong painting and we constantly strive to learn more and get better.

I'm about 75% complete with the above painting and at this point, it's time to step back and apply those lessons I've learned and see where changes need to be made.  What parts am I pleased with and what parts don't make me happy.  And with each painting, I learn something else that I can apply to the next painting.  Later, I'll post the completed painting and we'll see what changes I made, what lessons did I apply.  Let me hear from you, I'd love your feedback about my paintings and my blog in general.

What lessons are you learning today and how will you apply them in the future?

Keep painting!