This is my second and last post about my "Helping Hands" painting (you can see the previous post here). I am reasonably sure it is finished but the real closure happens when I apply on it three coats of varnish . An unvarnished piece in my studio is always in danger of being retouched and modified or at least stared upon suspiciously for hours until I figure out what could still be improved. Varnish brings a liberation of sorts, the sign that I finally accepted that it is an honest and decent piece as it is, that perfection does not exist in this world and it is time to move on to something new...
Since last time I shortened my girl's left arm and added claws to my bear (apparently he is a tamed bear but could be ferocious in a different situation)
I started lightening up her dress
Here I changed the neckline of her dress, I think off-the-shoulders looks better because it softens the vertical effect the trees give to the composition. I also chose black for her ribbon.
I wanted her to have a cameo around her neck with a detailed portrait of a bird in it.
After starting to paint it I didn't like the fact that, being exactly at the center of my canvas, the eye was immediately drawn to it. I wanted the focus to be on her face and on the hands doing her hair.
So the yellow bird is only passing by and I tattooed a small blue heart over her chest. Also, I pulled a few curly cues out of her ponytail so her hair is not so tidy.
The yellow bird needed a home so I placed his nest safely in the middle of the left tree. Also I added real pink to my cloud, a color I rarely use, to make this cloud even more heavenly...
Here is my final image :
I did enjoy putting this post together but I do have mixed feelings about showing a step by step evolution of a painting. Don't you feel that knowing what it took to get to that final image takes away a little of the mystery of the creative process? When a boy picks up his beautiful prom date does he want to know how she waxed her eyebrows and legs, curled her lashes and stuffed her bra? Don't you think that the practical details should be left out so the boy is mesmerized by the way she looks in the moment?
Please tell me what you think about this, I am curious...
love it great work
Posted by: Sean james | Monday, 19 December 2011 at 08:34 PM
I love your work & this was a very cool post. You have such a wild imagination, & I know I could never paint something so compelling. I do think it would be nice to see you painting in a video... I've never taken a painting class & find videos that teach techniques helpful...I think disclosing details doesn't make it less special, it adds an element that encourages adults & children to explore painting...You don't have to be Bob Ross, but I think the process of painting shouldn't be guarded. Your own ideas & experience is your allure & that really can't be emulated.
Posted by: Kree8byAlicia | Monday, 19 December 2011 at 10:21 PM
Bonjour! I love how you posted each step and the thought process that went behind them. Beautiful art, and I'm happy to have discovered you on Twitter!
Posted by: Carolineryanart | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 01:09 AM
Thanx, its interesting to be walked through your process. I read the first one the other day so its good to see it to completion.
Posted by: christine | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 01:57 AM
Thank you Sean. There is a little magic in a good hair stylist's hands.
Posted by: Isabelle Bryer | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 07:36 AM
Alicia thanks for your input, if a step by step can truly motivate people into making art then it is all good. I think that most people who love art but don't do it are probably great artists who didn't get a fair chance to try.
Posted by: Isabelle Bryer | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 07:41 AM
Bonjour Caroline! I am glad my step by step art piece was compelling to you. Please stick around and I will try to keep it interesting.
Posted by: Isabelle Bryer | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 07:46 AM
Christine, I am looking at my piece right now wondering whether I should modify it a little bit! I won't be able to rest until it's varnished and THEN it will be done :)
Posted by: Isabelle Bryer | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 07:50 AM
I love seeing the process step by step!! seeing the evolution only verifies your genius!! :)
Posted by: deborah | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 12:49 PM
Deborah thank you, I love your comment but I don't think we can use the G word about my work (yet)... :)
Posted by: Isabelle Bryer | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 05:01 PM
If the boy intends to spend the rest of his life with her he should want to know all that made her who she is.
Posted by: corine | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 05:41 PM
magic*!❤ every step of the way~
Posted by: kara rane | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 06:11 PM
Corine, I would agree with you but I don't think guys really want to know that much about what makes us gorgeous (god knows why I include myself in that conversation). You are definitely a romantic ;)
Posted by: Isabelle Bryer | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 06:34 PM
Thank you Kara, it's good that you still feel the magic even after seeing all the tricks!
Posted by: Isabelle Bryer | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 06:42 PM
Isabelle, I think it makes the painting even more interesting when I can see the changes and read your thoughts about the making of the piece. Since I don't paint, the process is magical to me. As a photographer, the finished piece must all be in place before I release the shutter, of course a lot goes on in the darkroom or the computer before it is framed, but all the elements must be there originally.
Posted by: Paul Moshay | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 08:02 PM
I see what you mean Paul but some excellent photographer out there use crazy technology to add anything they want in their images. I imagine that if you make photos that are authentic and pure than you do need everything already there. Well, I'm happy you enjoyed my step-by step!
Posted by: Isabelle Bryer | Tuesday, 20 December 2011 at 08:24 PM
I LOVE to look at processes of other artists, and I have had really great responses to sharing my own process form start to finish with a painting. The magic is in the decision making of the artist, b/c we all think differently. Showing that process of decision after decision is just a display of the magic. Great work! Keep it up :)
-Rachel M Cotton
http://www.cottonstudios.com
Posted by: Rachel M Cotton | Thursday, 22 December 2011 at 08:24 AM
Rachel I think you are right, everything would turn out entirely different if another artist was holding the brush so you are really giving a demonstration of what your particular thought process is.
Posted by: Isabelle Bryer | Thursday, 22 December 2011 at 12:44 PM
the artist's process will always be a mystery! this post is a lovely peek into your creativity. i love hearing your explain the development of this piece. is the last image varnished? or would that change the paint colors?
Posted by: betty ming liu | Tuesday, 27 December 2011 at 06:55 PM
Hello Betty, the last image is not varnished yet. Not because the varnish would change the color but because it makes it so glossy that it becomes harder for me to get a good photo. I usually get it professionally photographed later. Thanks for reading!
Posted by: Isabelle Bryer | Tuesday, 27 December 2011 at 07:16 PM