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Monday, June 29, 2015

Overwork or Stop a Brush?

We, artists are a Hamlet at some degree in regard to decide a finishing touch of work. To stop, or not to stop ; that's the question. Btw, what is overwork? Does anyone have an idea of definition? It's vague. In my view, it depends a style and a context. So, neither a specific nor generalised answer is found. What do you think? A "context" includes a required goal of a painting and a subject's setting/mood/condition in work -- I've meant.
In my style, simple lines and a limited pallete are main. Freshness and liveliness is the most strength in my colour work. My black and white before painting is just like below. Technical criticism was "Put something more such as splashes etc," "Add more colours/paints," or "Have you finished this work?" at the beginning of my career. I accepted the critiques and worked on the suggestions, but I did not feel comfortable with corrected results. Too many brush strokes and decorated information killed the vigour in my work. Then, I've concluded that it depends on a style and the context in work. I've come back to what I am and keep on my own style. As a result, I've been more interested in a focal point in work in these years. It requires to simplify visual information as much as possible in work. 
For example, have a look of contemporary portraits at top level exhibitions such as Doug Moran and Archibald in Australia. You can often find a white or simplified background. They are all completed art work. Some people call my work sketches. But even called sketches, my work is already accomplished art work. *Of course, categorising is ambiguous and an empty thing in arts and not my job! It's up to viewers' value system. Unlike traditional portraits, postmodern portraits have gained more freedom of expression and shown variety of styles in different medium. The same is true of watercolour painting. It's changing, which very excites me. In international exhibitions, you'll feel what postmodernism encompasses in our future portrait work.
Regarding my own watercolour painting, I've decided not to touch a work in which once I stopped a brush. A newly added brush stroke will only mess up my work and worsen it than ever. I assume it's not appropriate to add a paint on an already dried work. Technically, it requires to "prewet" again (*by spray or brushes) on the dried work before a restart. I looked up the work above and I wonderd if I would add any thing more, even for a try? I, eventually, stopped it. When I become a Hamlet, I usually stop a brush and "the end." Then, I check the work. However, my general rule, "don't add more colour on a dried work," depends on a style or a goal. I add more brushes on an uncompleted work to achieve goals such as picture book illustration and a big painting.

Probably, to "find a finishing touch" is our another fun in creating work and a learning process. I'm a life long learner. Lastly, I'd dedicate Michealangelo's say for you, "I'm still learning." Hopefully, we will enjoy being Hamlets! 
Friends, Happy Painting!






     
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20 comments:

  1. Isn't it odd how we always have to name and categorize things? Too tight, too loose, too abstract, too this or that!! We are like the three bears, always looking for what is Just Right - but that Just Right is only Just Right to us!! Others like other things and other styles. Whatever you call or name your style, I like it :)

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  2. Brilliant, Rhonda! You've beautifully summe up the point of my post! It's up to an artist's value and eye. Thank you very much for warm cheers, Best wishes, Sadami

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  3. ¿Cuando parar? ¡Ese es el dilema!
    Yo creo que tú sabes parar en el momento justo...
    Un abrazo, Sadami.

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    1. Gracias, Onera! La mejor respuesta es "depende de ti," o "Escucha a tu corazón", supongo.
      Cheers, Sadami

      Thank you, Onera! The best answer is "Up to you," or "Listen to your heart," I reckon.
      Cheers, Sadami

      >>> Onera said...
      When to stop?That is the dilemma!
      I think you know to stop at the right time ...
      A hug, Sadami.

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  4. Wonderful post Sadami. I have similar feelings on when to call a painting complete. I often struggle with what to do in a background and end up leaving it white which sometimes is best. I am always finding something interesting and inspiring in your blog. One of my favorites. Thanks.

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    1. Thank you very much for your kind comment. I hope you will enjoy creating work in both photos and painting. Best wishes, Sadami

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  5. Tu estilo y tu "savoir faire", adquirida a través de la experiencia que te han dado los años que llevas dedicada al dibujo o a la pintura y tras las críticas recibidas, buenas o malas, sabes perfectamente cuando una obra está finalizada. Una línea de más puede desgraciarte todo el trabajo. Pero todo ello, es la práctica quien te aconseja cuando das por finalizada una obra. Como dices, no es recomendable, una vez seca la pintura añadir algo nuevo, en obras de arte, salvo en algunas ilustraciones o dibujos publicitarios.
    Eres una gran artista Sadami y nadie te va a decir si la pintura la tienes que dar por terminada o no. Tú, sabes bien.
    Un fuerte abrazo.

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    1. Muchas gracias sabio y experimentado Joshemari! Tiene un ojo maravilloso y buenos pensamientos para tomar una decisión cuando parar y hacia la vista de otras personas. Estoy de acuerdo con su opinión. Usted, también, mantener su propio estilo y seguir adelante. En mis ojos, sus pinturas muestran lo Joshemari es más y más! Mis mejores deseos, Sadami

      Thank you very much wise and experienced Joshemari! You have a wonderful eye and good thoughts to make a decision when to stop and towards other people's view. I agree with your opinion. You, too, keep your own style and go on. In my eyes, your paintings show what Joshemari is more and more! Best wishes, Sadami

      >>>> Joshemari said...,
      Your style and your "savoir faire" acquired through experience they have given you the years that you've been devoted to drawing or painting and following the criticism, good or bad, you know perfectly when a work is completed. A heavier line can desgraciarte all the work. But all this is the practice that advises you when you give by finalized a work. As you say, it's not advisable, once the paint is dry add something new in art except in some illustrations and advertising drawings.
      You are a great artist Sadami and nobody will tell whether the painting have to terminate or not. Thou knowest.

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  6. I have never seen a painting of yours that looked overworked! If I start looking for things to paint on my work, I think I may have finished so I leave it for another day. Have a happy week

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    1. Oh, Polly, thank you and you're so lovely! Yes, it sometimes even depends on my feelings. Keep away from the work -- could be a good idea like you said! Best wishes, Sadami

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  7. Yes I agree, Sadami, your lines and brushstrokes are just right! Doing more would ruin the characteristics of your work. Best wishes, Sadami!

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    1. Thank you, Judy! You, too, work on your style and just enjoy them all. Best wishes, Sadami

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  8. I agree with you Sadami...it is no good to go back into a painting when you paint like you do. I feel the same. I will sometimes use a painting to create another one, but it is rare to "fix" anything. I love the spontaneous look too. All your work has life.

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    1. thank you, sweet Celeste! I hope I will depict LIFE that's my most favorite word in language and in art. Best wihses, Sadami

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  9. One of my teachers said that " it is easy to start a paint, and anyone can do it --but the skill is knowing when to stop :) " I really like your rule about "don't add more colour on a dried work," I have ruined too many pieces by overworking :( Excellent post!

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    1. Oh, you have such a wise teacher! Very sorry for your overwork experiences and me, too. It was very bitter. Let us learn how to hold brushes •♫·.•ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ. Best wishes, Sadami

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  10. Nada nuevo que añadir a lo que han dicho los compañeros, cada uno sabe cuando la obra está terminada, la frescura de tu trabajo facilmente se puede extropear con pinceladas de mas. Un abrazo.

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    1. Tina, gracias por tu comentario sabio! La pintura de acuarela requiere una decisión sensible y valiente. ¿Cómo va tu pintura? Vamos a divertirnos. Mis mejores deseos, Sadami

      Tina, thank you for your wise comment! Watercolour painting requires a sensitive and brave decision. How is your painting going? Let's have fun. Best wishes, Sadami

      >>> Tina said...
      Nothing new to add to what colleagues have said, everyone knows when the work is finished, the freshness of your work can be easily extropear with touches of more. A hug.

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  11. Love the way you draw and paint, so much expression. Sadami, you are so inspiring! Love,Diana

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    1. Thank you very much, Diana! Mutual inspiring is real joy in the friendship of artists. Best wishes, Sadami

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