I have picked up this piece of work again as I am ready to move it forward. By taking photographs as I go along it will help to see areas that need working on.
Kathryn Raffell, 2015, Acrylic on canvas, 180cmx120cm.
To start with I see that the face needs reshaping and more shading and tone, at the moment it is very “flat”, and in the background I would like to suggest faint facial forms that might be a reflection of her face and the mask. Also the kimono dress has little shading or contour , shape isn’t quite right and the arm is too short.
After several days of working and re-working I am happier with these areas now.
Kathryn Raffell, 2015, Acrylic on canvas, close up of areas of the 180cmx120cm canvas.
I have been talking to two of my tutors as it still needs “something” (probably re-priming over the lot) as it is not ready to be included as it is. I would really want this painting as one of my degree show pieces so I have to push myself and this piece to the limit and not play it safe. I am thinking of sanding part of the paint away, almost back to canvas, and then re-paint as a different person. For instance, sand away part of the kimono and re-paint as a dress or, sand away part of the face and re-paint as someone else.
I am going to try this with another smaller canvas and see how it turns out. I know this is playing safe but I am thinking it is like making a maquette before starting work on the full size piece!
