It doesn’t look too bad. From five feet away, my winter scene painting actually looks like a river covered with patches of snow and ice. I have lots of trees on the hillsides, and I have a few scraggly weeds growing close to the riverbank.
For such a long time, I’ve worried over how my paintings look up close. As I’m painting, I fret about every brush stroke I make. At least, I always have in the past.
That’s really changing now, and it’s one of the most positive changes that’s ever occurred in my approach to art.
I started this painting quite some time ago, then with our move from one home to another, it was set aside. It took several months for me to get back to this painting.
Maybe the thing I love most about my new studio — even more than that huge sink that makes for easy clean-up, even more than those shelves for art books, canvases, and art supplies — is that it’s so easy for me to step back away from my easel, not just a few feet, but all the way across the room.
And when I do, it amazes me to see that, really, from five feet away — or more — my paintings look good. At least, they’re starting to look good. I’m seeing signs of improvement, and I’m picking up my brushes with more confidence now. It’s getting easier to see what I’m creating because all I have to do is back away from the easel.
I’m pleased with the progress I’m making. I hope you like this painting.
A useful lesson to learn. We need about two metres viewing space at least for the picture to come together, otherwise you see every brushstroke. Also “zoom out and zoom back in again”every so often when painting, and you will get a useful impression of how your work is coming along
LikeLiked by 2 people
Exactly. When I was painting in a corner of the kitchen, I really wasn’t able to step back too much from my easel. Now, I have plenty of room, and it really helps me see “the big picture”.
LikeLike
great post and such progress made as an artist, good insight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Just being here in my new studio has truly helped me see my work in new ways! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love witer times and of course I appreciate very mch this scene! Yes, sometimes we need to step back and have a global view.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s really helped me “see” my paintings. I love my studio. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person