Q: How can you tell with certainty when a pastel painting is finished?
A: For me a work is finished when to add or subtract some element causes the composition to diminish or somehow weaken. It’s mostly a matter of where I want viewers to look and how I decide to lead their eyes around a painting.
I work on each piece for several months so that by the time it’s nearly done, I can no longer see flaws. I put it aside for a week or two. Then I pull it out again, turn it upside down, and any details that need improving become obvious. Once I fix them, I know the painting is finally finished and ready to be signed, photographed, and delivered to my framer.
Comments are welcome!
Posted on June 24, 2017, in 2017, Black Paintings, Creative Process, Pastel Painting, Working methods and tagged "Poker Face", composition, details, finished, flaws, framer, obvious, pastel painting, photographed, signed, upside down, viewers. Bookmark the permalink. Comments Off on Q: How can you tell with certainty when a pastel painting is finished?.