Sunday, March 31, 2013

Evolving Style

      
The Backyard II, pastel on watercolor paper by Adriana Meiss
  Once in a while I feel compelled to take a photo reference I have used before and paint a newer version just to see how I would handle it this time. The painting aboves is my latest example. The reference came from a Wet Canvas challenge from 6 years ago, and below is my first version for comparison.

The Backyard, pastel on paper by Adriana Meiss
   It makes me feel I have come a long way, but the funny thing is that I remember feeling so proud at the time because never before I had used purples and blues on the trees.

   It's so easy to look back and feel embarrassed of some of the things I produced years ago, but I have to accept that those paintings represent a different stage of me as an artist and without them I wouldn't be were I am.

10 comments:

Tatiana said...

Nice spring-like attitude, Adrianna! Looking forward to see more of Your beautiful landscapes... and also start working on my own ones.

Donna T said...

You sure have come a long way, Adriana! I am so embarrassed of the things I first posted on WetCanvas but it is good to see the changes.

Adriana Meiss said...

Tatiana, Thank you! Most of the small painting are for an upcoming guild sale. I looking forward to painting larger landscapes now.
Donna, Thank you! From what I've read, many artists get rid of their "not so good" early work. Once in a while I look at what's stored and tear apart only those that are really bad and are beyond fix; I keep the others as a reminder (at least for a while). Some of my work that I now consider somewhat primitive has sold. I cannot buy it back. I just have to accept and be glad someone found it charming enough to buy it.

hmuxo said...

Yes!!! I can see how you've come a long way!! The first version is amazing and very painterly. I noticed that you used watercolor paper for this pastel. I didn't know we can do this!!! Obviously, I was wrong...Fabulous piece, Adriana!

Adriana Meiss said...

Thank you Hilda! It's easy to prepare watercolor paper for pastel: first I tape the paper to a board on all sides with masking tape; then I mix a few drops of liquid acrylic (pinkish or orange for landscapes) with Golden's Fine Pumice Gel and matte medium or a little bit of water. I apply this with a soft wide brush to the paper. The paper can be used as soon as it dries. You'll have to experiment with the correct amount of gel. I would say that about a tablespoon of gel will be enough to cover a 8x10" area, but you have to try it and see what works best for you. The surface is still bumpy, but that allows for a looser application of pastel.

Linda said...

Hi Adriana, these are beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

hmuxo said...

thank you so much for the info on the paper, Adriana! I copied and pasted it to my documents for future reference!

Adriana Meiss said...

Linda, thank you for visiting and commenting!
Hilda, you are welcome. I keep a file with art tips other artist have shared too.

Sandy Byers said...

Hi Adriana,
It's so nice to "meet" you and your work. I really enjoyed seeing the two different versions of the same painting. It is wonderful you can still honor the "young" ones :).

Adriana Meiss said...

Sandy Thank you so much for visiting and for your kind words! Love your work!