ArtistsNetwork.com 39- AVOID OVERWORKING
I never make preliminary drawings in
pencil since the object placement isn’t
as important as the placement of
color and value shapes. It sometimes
happens that my preliminary color
sketches turn out better than the fi nal
product. We artists sometimes try too
hard in our fi nished paintings.Reference Photo
The bright sunlight created strong cast shadow shapes. On an overcast
day, you wouldn’t see shadows like these, so you may end up painting
windows and small details.
Preliminary Sketch
Compare this sketch to the fi nished painting (below). I like the warmer
spots of color behind the buildings and the warmth under the roofl ine in
this version, but the water is too confused and busy. I wish I’d had a larger,
darker, simpler shape for the water, and more of the light-value walkway.
Finished Painting
Catalina Yacht Club
looks too cool, but
aside from that, I’m
satisfi ed. I simplifi ed
the water into an
overall middle value.
The light shape of the
walkway and the dark
shadow and cast
shadow shapes in the
buildings almost meet
my goal of 75 percent
large simple shapes.