I finished the four paintings that I working on in “assembly line” fashion. Click here to read more about how I approached working on these paintings.
Results: The results of the experiment are best described by this analogy: It’s like raising kids. You raise them in the same way – same environment, same food, activities, etc. but they all require different special attention and they all turn out different. And with each kid, you are a bit wiser (and more tired) so you do things differently each time – but maybe not better.
This is the inspiration painting:
The four painting above are numbered. Some of them were “worked” on more. For # 1-3 I used white gouache. As I worked I wasn’t sure what methods would be most successful – more details? more shadows? more white? more variation in color?
I’d love to hear what you have to say! Leave a comment and answer my poll below.
Conclusion: (Don’t all experiments have a conclusion?) Working this way, really allowed me to explore this type of painting and subject matter in more and more depth. If I had only painted one beach landscape, I wouldn’t have had the chance to try different techniques.
TRY IT! and let me know your results (and thoughts). Link to this post or if you’re on Instagram use #assemblylinepainting. Can’t wait to see! 🙂
August 28, 2015 at 1:20 pm
4 for me please! Nice experiment. 🙂
August 29, 2015 at 6:08 pm
Thanks for the feedback Rebecca!
August 28, 2015 at 3:38 pm
I can’t choose! I think the two on the left? Not sure which numbers they are. Nice work!!
August 29, 2015 at 6:08 pm
Thanks Laura! 🙂
August 28, 2015 at 5:11 pm
…I’m with Rebecca–#4 for me, too!
August 29, 2015 at 6:08 pm
Thank you. It’s interesting because that’s the less “worked” one.
August 28, 2015 at 8:28 pm
I feel like I’ve been away from wordpress for a while so good to see a blog post by you that I was following in a follow-up! My vote is … #1. : )
August 29, 2015 at 6:09 pm
Oh good! It’s hard to stay up on everything isn’t it? Thanks for your feedback. 🙂
August 28, 2015 at 9:46 pm
I like #4 as well (K.)
August 29, 2015 at 6:10 pm
Thank you! 🙂
August 29, 2015 at 8:35 am
Good morning Eileen, thanks for posting your painting experiment. A very good way to practice. Nicely done! Happy day ahead.
August 29, 2015 at 6:10 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed the post Sharon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
August 30, 2015 at 5:37 am
I think experiments are ongoing, by their very nature, and human’s need to continually ‘improve’ and try something different. I think that’s why artists often re-work a subject a number of times at different periods/emotional states. I voted for the original inspiration painting as I like its summery softness, lightwise.
August 30, 2015 at 10:03 am
Yes there is something special about capturing the subject with less brush strokes. Thanks for your input!
August 31, 2015 at 5:52 pm
No. 4 gets my vote!