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Monday, January 26, 2015

All Work Is Process Of Our Growing

I'm enjoying a close up portrait again. In this work, I've focused on publisher Helen Chamberlin's enthusiasm for work. Always a model's "eyes" fascinate me most. I'm looking into her eyes and do not weigh on other areas. A mood comes up well and I'm happy.
The other day, I met a wonderful artist in a sketch club. He said, "All is process" about our drawings from his rich teaching experience. In his eyes, some people try so hard to draw meticulously accurate and struggle to create masterpieces, which forces watercolour to behave like their expectations. Outcome disappoints the people. "But watercolour does not like that way!" the upset artist voiced. In his say, a personified watercolour amused me so much and true! He called himself a tough or unwelcomed teacher and whispered me the wise say with a mischievous smile. I perfectly agreed with him. I said, "All work is experiment. My growing process." He smiled back at me.
Publisher and editor Helen Chamberlin
I added, "Through my experiences, I know the importance of "let paints work freely," yet, a watercolourist controls paints' freedom. Then, the beauty of watercolour shows up on paper."  We enjoyed a chat over art and teaching. 

Regarding portraits, I feel an individual personality is like universe. An artist wants to explore universe and express it on paper as s/he likes. I'm drawing this model in different angles and with different styles. If a person is universe, different portraits will come up tens of millions, even from a same model.

But a sitter is not always happy to be depicted in an "ugly" or unfavorable way by an artist. This episode is famous that Archibald winner Ben Quilty took time to negotiate Margaret Olley for his modelFortunately, Helen allows me to express what I feel freely on paper. She well knows the importance of freedom for artists. What about you, Friends? Do you have or have you ever experienced difficulty in the working relation with a model for portrait work? If you have, let us share your pain.
Btw, technically, interestingly, I "correct" my pencil drawing or an initial sketch by putting colours. See the process. I do not erase wrong lines. The remainded lines help me capture a subject better. My colouring repairs line work. I've felt I'm not a line dominant drawer, but a colour oriented painter. In my work, a black and white drawing is a simple "assistance" for colour painting (Does it make sense?). Lines are the fewer, the better for me. I admire an artist who can use strong lines, for I'm not good at drawing! I want to study how to use lines more.
If these drawings are ongoing process, all the created work is also in the past. I'm not going to cling to a good work done yesterday. It was only mere a passing point in my life. I want to keep creating more today. Messy work is fine and welcome, becuase all is process. I'll have more fun and grow myself as a person tomorrow. Although I love portraits and watercolour is my medium, I want to be brave to seek for other styles and explore techniques in order to freely express what I feel in a model. My goal and starting point is to bring up uniqueness in my style. 
I hope myself to enjoy working on more portraits of this model! 

Now, we know "All is process." If we are growing in art, our styles and techniques are changing and will move on. If I remain in exactly the same style, it means I'm not growing. Gulp?! 
Friends, Happy Painting! Let's give it a go and grow in art!
  


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18 comments:

  1. Motivating words Sadami. I am sure you must be a very good teacher. Though I have very rarely painted with a live model, mostly friends, have always been scared of the result. The final work is always under scrutiny. This fear always restricts your freedom. It will require a lot of experience and effort to overcome. Like you said 'it is a process'. Lets get on with it!

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    1. Thank you very much, AK and for sharing your pain. Get a sitter's total approval at the beginning before getting on portraits = get your freedom first. Please have a chat with your friends in a right manner, while showing your work. I clearly explain the purpose, the project, sitter's privacy, use of work (reference/competition/illustration) as a professional, showing my business card = who I am. Respect a model. I respect privacy and confidenciality of info = you will not find the disclosure of my sitter's info. Also, I never ask a reluctant model too much or too long to be my sitter. Usually, in a few minutes, I finish up our negotiation. From your say, already you have done some portraits and sitters' won't give a total approval/yes. If so, if I were you, I won't make portraits. A half-baked yes it not either useful or helpful for professional use. Clarify what prevents you from total "yes." Plse remember, as well as sitters, artists have rights of expression. For me, a live model is the best way for portraits. Luckily, people hardly say no to me. Rather, too many people come, while I'm sketching an outside. I'm sure, AK, your work is beautiful and people love it. Go for it!
      Best wishes, Sadami

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  2. Oh, I do love this post, Sadami!
    I agree totally with you and admire how you draw and then put your colors!
    At the moment, I play with old photos so no one can complain on how I paint them... And I use ink with my watercolors, which is a kind of control. I am in a discovery process at the moment..., Hope to paint as freely as you one day without the constraint of ink lines.
    Have a great week!

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    1. Thank u, Martine! You have to teach me how to use photos for portraits. I'm still studying it right now. Always we find something new. I'm a life long learner and will never be an accomplished artist. You and me have nothing different. Let's have fun together in art.
      Best wishes, Sadami

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  3. Wonderfully inspiring words Sadami. And, as always, I am left with a smile as I say thank you for this post.

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    1. Thank u, Carol! You, too, enjoy your art activities. Best wishes, Sadami

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  4. Oh, if we could only live and create with the understanding that all is process,mwe would be so much happier! You are one smart woman, Sadami!!

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    1. Thank u, Rhonda, but it's all from our bitter experiences, isn't it? If so, I want to share them with others. I want others to be happy like I enjoy drawing. Best wishes, Sadami

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  5. Yes, all is learning and growing. It's a very kind model that allows you to do this, with no demands of the final picture! Your work is looking good, Sadami. It will be interesting to see how you paint this portrait again, if you were to do it again in a couple of months' time.

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    1. Oh, Pat, thank u! I'm enjoying this lady's portraits. See how it goes. How r u? Plese take care and take it easy. Today is Australia day. We've enjoyed big event. I've got the tatoo of our flag on my cheek. Cheers, Sadami

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  6. Un retrato muy intenso y.... como puedes decir que no eres buena en el dibujo? Un abrazo,

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    1. Oh, dulce Tina, muchas gracias! Puedo dibujarlo, pero las líneas no son dominantes en mi trabajo - que es lo que quise decir. He habilidades de dibujo y está creciendo. Pero a menudo los colores y valor desempeñan el papel principal en mi trabajo, las líneas no dispuestas, que significaban. Gracias por el aliento que. Siempre sus aplausos me hacen feliz! Un abrazo y una sonrisa, Sadami

      Oh, sweet Tina, thank you so much! I can draw it, but lines are not dominant in my work -- that's what I meant. I have drawing skills and it's growing. But often colours and value play the main role in my work, not drawn lines, I meant. Thank you for encouragement. Always your cheers make me happy! A hug and smile, Sadami

      >>> Tina said...
      A very intense and portrait .... as you say you're not good at drawing? A hug,

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  7. Dear Sadami:) Long time ago! What you describe above is exactly what I have for a long time. Searching for my own unique style. And I keep searching:) In addition, I want to stand out from other artists. That's quite difficult, because there are so many artists. Have you ever tried to paint on Yupo? That, too, is difficult. The paint goes his own way:) I haven't experienced with "living" models. Also that I would like to do it again. Your portrait is beautiful. Big hug:) xx

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    1. Ohhh, dear sweet Renate, are you ok? I hope you're well.
      We all keep searching for who we are. Become "who we will be most", is the best way, I feel. Of course, we want to stand out in us, but in an individual way.
      No, I haven't tried Yupo. I want to try it one day. Probably, not to control paint is the best way to create beautiful and interesting watercolour, full of fun. Always, my best work is a product of accident. I did not intentionally make it.
      Live model is fun. Renate, go for it. Sketch anyone and share your joy. Dynamic human interactions inspire you so much.
      Big hug, best wishes, plse, plse, take care. xxx Sadami




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  8. It is amusing for me to read you saying that you are "not good at drawing". I so admire your drawing skills. But then, that's really how it should be. regardless of how good one gets, they should never be fully satisfied, or their development will stop. So, keep trying to be better, Sadami, keep growing! I love watching the process, and learning so much from you

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    1. Thank you, sweet Blaga! When I was at teen age, I read Michleangelo's life and his say, "I'm still learning." Also, any artist agrees with me that a person cannot paint more than her own drawing skills = if u want to paint well, be a good drawer. I'll keep drawing. Draw, draw, draw my head off...! You, too, enjoy drawing and painting. I love looking at your work!! Best wishes, Sadami

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  9. It has been a while and I am so happy that I got a chance to catch up with your blog. I always find something to learn and your images make me smile. Thank you for sharing your work!

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    1. Thank u, Maria! Me, too, always learn from your blog. You're a lovely teacher as well as a wonderful artist! Best wishes, Sadami

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