Painting Linda Update!

Clash of styles!

Update! March 24, 2016
(See post #112 for the complete story)

Not being a trained artist presents some problems! I have learned thru some study (certainly not enough) but mostly a lot of trial and error.  I recognize when things aren't right. Where I get stuck is how to, "right it." I knew the painting was unbalanced but wasn't sure what to do. Simply adding an object wouldn't work.  Also, the face and the background didn't mix. I consulted with my good friend C.w. Mundy. We discussed the painting. Just as I suggested earlier, there were two major issues. First was a clash of styles causing the painting to be fractured. The second is the balance issue. 

To solve the first issue, C.w. suggested that I take the palette knife to the face!  Well that immediately scared the heck out of me, not to mention Linda's reaction! I assured her it was only being applied to the canvas! I do like the way it's painted, BUT it can't work with that background. Using a palette knife on the face will significantly change the style to more of an impressionistic painting IF I do it successfully. I will have to duplicate the current values and shapes using the knife.  Major challenge there!!! 

Below is a closeup of the stokes to replicate 

The second issue is balance. C.w. sent me a drawing of how I might solve it. 

The idea here is to match the dark values found in the hair (see post #112) and place them in two similar shapes such as those seen here. The first would be the shape in the upper left and the second would be the area that is formed along the left hand side of the painting. I would match the values with a series of similar  strokes from the palette knife. If successful, the painting will then become balanced thus solving that problem.

When those two issues are solved, the painting will then become unified!

Previous attempts at solving composition errors.

This is a still life painting I did a few years back. I kinda liked the painting but always knew that the lower right corner needed something. At the time I didn't have the confidence or really the knowledge to add anything. About 2 months ago I thought what the heck, so I added an apple! As you can see, it changed the painting entirely. I may go back in and darken the value of that apple a bit as I think it pops too much but it does help solve the composition issue.