The Artist’s Magazine – October 2019

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30 Artists Magazine October 2019


Build LESSON


CHANGEREWARDED


I’mconfidentthatbothpaintings
havedonebetterthanmyoriginal
compositionevercouldhave.The
PastelSocietyofAmericaselected
Kissforthe 2018 BillCreevyAward
forPastelInnovation.Then,earlier
thisyear,bothKissandLooking
Through(above)appearedinthe
108thGoldMedalExhibitionof
theCaliforniaArtClub—ahighly
competitivejuriedshowheldinthe

formerlocationofthePasadena
MuseumofCaliforniaArt.
Makinga radicalchangemidway
througha paintingtakescourageand
patience,butknowingyou’vegoneall
outtoproducethebestworkpossible
makestheeffortworthwhile.

Sally Strand is an award-winning pastel
artist and workshop leader based in
California. Visit her website at
sallystrand.com.

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And so I have a second painting—Looking Through (pastel on paper, 10x8). I like
how the abstract shapes of complementary-colored towels frame the child’s face.

WHAT’STHE
PROBLEM?
Afterworkingon
a paintingforsome
time,seeingwhat
you’redoingcan
becomedifficult.For
a freshlook,trythe
following:


  • Turnthepainting
    upsidedownor
    viewit ina mirror.
    Trya dustymirror
    toreducedetail.

  • Relocatethe
    work.Hangit
    whereyou’llcatch
    glimpsesofit when
    walkingby.

  • Puttheworkaway
    andstartanother.
    Later,returntothe
    “problem”painting.

  • Photographyour
    painting.Look
    atit invarious
    ways—small,
    black-and-white,
    outoffocus(tosee
    largeshapesand
    composition).


Youcanalsoprint
a photoandapply
pastelorpaintto
trychanges.Ortry
changesdirectlyon
yourpainting:


  • Makebigger
    shapesoutof
    smalleronesfor
    moreimpact.

  • Reducethevalue
    range.Threetofive
    valuesand/orvalue
    massesisgood.

  • Maketangential
    shapesoverlapor
    putmorespace
    betweenthem.

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