Today I worked on the second canvas I made to make the work a kind of Diptych (Diptych definition:-modern artists have used the term in the title of works consisting of two paintings never actually connected, but intended to be hung close together as a pair). This is exactly how I intend these to be displayed and so I placed it next to the large canvas and began painting, this way I found it easier to see how the two balanced and connected to each other and I worked.
Kathryn Raffell, 2015, Acrylic on canvas, 120cmx80cm.
Kathryn Raffell, 2015, Acrylic on canvas, 120cmx80cm and 180cmx120cm.
I think this extra “panel” extends and balances the composition. It is right but I can’t explain exactly why but I know it does as I saw this elongated type of canvas by Phillip Harris in an exhibition called Reality in the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich. He adds in background which draws the viewers attention into the figure that is the focus of the compositon.
Phillip Harris, Stormfronts, 2010, Oil on Linen, 48″ x 96″
Stepping back from my work, I now think the females face needs working on.
Kathryn Raffell, 2015, Acrylic on canvas, 120cmx80cm and 180cmx120cm.
I am adding a blue tones to the face and hand and then will overpaint to see how this works.
Kathryn Raffell, 2015, Acrylic on canvas, part of canvas 180cmx120cm.
Still not finished – more work needed. Investigate ways to transform the face to inform the narrative of obscuring and its hidden realities. Making an alternative reality exist within my painting is my goal.
Another idea I have is to paint lines down the face as a kind of veil. I cut wavy strips of acetate sheet and placed it onto the face and took photographs.
Kathryn Raffell, 2015, Acrylic on canvas, part of canvas 180cmx120cm.
I am going to paint the strips black and tomorrow, when dry, see if they might be more effective.
