Yesterday I zeroed in on part of a face, my face as a little boy. Today I am getting even closer.
I began with my 3-inch brush loaded with yellow ochre, cadmium red light and titanium white. Two simple streaks and it was done.
Dark Eye
But I wasn’t satisfied. I wanted to embed this shape in shadow, just as the eyes in the photograph that Dad took of me.
The watercolor as displayed above no longer exists. Below is its current state, enveloped in dark wash.
Dark Eye, Overworked
12″x9″ 140# Cold Pressed Watercolor Block
It is sometimes very difficult to know when to stop. But I couldn’t resist trying what I thought was the right approach.
I am not sorry I followed my instinct.
The dark ground changes the focus, doesn’t it? I agree, the original has more impact. But you can easily revisit it. (K)
Yes, I agree about the focus. Plus the delicacy of the original was ruined by the overpainting. Tomorrow’s attempt will hopefully rectify that.
j
As you study your childhood gaze, it doesn’t seem coincidental that your brother’s eyes (in old and recent photos) figure prominently in your search to try to understand him; and to understand yourself in relation to him. Or am I over-reaching? Childhood photos of ourselves are a strange thing. What were we looking at? Or thinking or seeing?
An old friend of mine recently saw my Grade 1 school photo posted to Facebook. She texted it to me unannounced. The ancient photo displayed for the first time on modern technology threw me. And more so because I don’t pore over old photos and in fact avoid them since, like you, I’m conflicted over my childhood and pose questions that can never be answered.
(As always, thanks for visiting my blog!)
Liz
Thank you, Liz. Eyes are definitely important, which is where I’m headed next.
best,
jack