27 April 2014

This Painting Was Finished Before I Knew It!

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Have you ever had the experience of a painting that was done before you knew it? Well, this painting was finished before I had a clue. I couldn’t think of what more to do – should I add colour, should I add more detail, should I…what? It happened so quickly that I couldn’t believe it was actually finished. I put it away then I’d pull it out from time to time, have a look, couldn’t think of what else to do, then put it away again. This happened a number of times.

One day it was an ‘out’ day for the pastel. Artist friends Shirlee, Susan and Donna were visiting and when they saw the piece sitting there on the shelf, they expressed great appreciation for it. “Don’t touch it!!” Wow. Okay then.

So I took it in to my framer along with all the other pieces for my Gallery 8 show (opening 16 May). Elma happens to work for one of my other galleries, Peninsula Gallery, and she and the gallery owners LOVED it. Well it was then that I really believed it was done!! Funny how sometimes you need to hear the judgement of others before you can decide.

So without further ado, here’s the painting:

Gail Sibley, "Darkly, The Horizon," 18 x 12 in, pastel on Wallis paper. The painting was finished before I knew it! If you know my colour palette, you'll know these muted colours are unusual for me. An almost pure abstract is also unusual but is definitely a path I'm on! — Gail Sibley, “Darkly, The Horizon,” 18 x 12 in, pastel on Wallis paper. If you know my colour palette, you’ll know these muted colours are unusual for me. An almost pure abstract is also unusual but is definitely a path I’m on!

And now, a quick review of the process (I have very few photos as it went along so quickly!).

My inspiration from a photo taken on a winter visit to my sister in Ontario. I loved the abstract bands of different whites — My inspiration – from a photo taken on a winter visit to my sister in Ontario. I loved the abstract bands of different whites

Thumbnail sketch showing the three main values and the composition, 2 1/2 x 1 in, pencil

First layer of pastel. I decided that since it would be a fairly cool picture, that I would apply a warm layer over the entire surface to begin.

More layers of pastel added. This was the last photo I took before the one of the finished piece. Crazy huh??

Do you always know when a painting is finished? Write and let me know. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for sharing this time with me.

~ Gail

I’ll leave you with this great quote by Harley Brown. Feel free to Pin It!!

Is This Plein Air Pastel Finished?

Gail Sibley, "Gazing at Gertrud," Unison Colour pastels on UART 400 paper, 11 1/4 x 8 1/4 in. Detail

My Painting Is Finished! Or Is It?

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3 thoughts on “This Painting Was Finished Before I Knew It!”

deb jedynak
Monday, 28 April 2014 at 5:14 pm

Gail, loved the recent abstract and I discovered after taking Casey Klahn’s workshop that it’s okay to rework a painting. I never felt quite satisfied when thinking I “finished” a piece until I asked to display some art in my office building with three days notice! I took out all the pieces I wanted to mat and frame and then proceeded to do something else to each one before I framed them…be it add more color, or tone down too much color, change the values, etc. Then I was satisfied!

Reply
Sandi Graham
Monday, 13 July 2015 at 3:39 am

Often my paintings are finished before I am ready to let them go.
I know if I leave them on the easel too long I risk the chance of over working them.
With time, unless it is a failure to start, I eventually decide to get it off the easel and away from my pastel pallet .
Thanks for the demo and I love the painting.
Sandi

Reply
1. Gail
  Monday, 20 July 2015 at 11:50 am
  
  You are sooooooo right Sandi! The longer a piece stays on the easel, the more likely we are to pick away at it. Best to put it away then after some time, have a look. If all seems well, it’s done.
  
  Glad you like the painting 🙂
  
  Reply

Gail Sibley

Artist. Blogger. Teacher.

My love of pastel and the enjoyment I receive from teaching about pastel inspired the creation of this blog. It has tips, reviews, some opinions:), and all manner of information regarding their use through the years – old and new. Please enjoy!