So I'm nearing completion of my oil paintings on board and am trying to take things slow. I'm really taking in what is working well, and what can be removed or added in. There are many elements already inside these compositions so I have to be mindful of making what already exists work OR to remove it entirely.
As you may notice from the second composition, I removed the clothesline as it wasn't working. I've just transparently painted over the top leaving little information that I like, I think it creates curiosity.
I am also at that stage of nitpicking and the possibility of overworking the paintings. For example, the first composition is in the right-hand bottom corner. For the longest amount of time, the man on the skateboard just didn't feel right but I also had no answers for what could work. I have worked and re-worked this spot for some time which essentially has led me into this exact position.
After receiving feedback from my teacher, I feel his guidance has led me in a better direction than I had started.
Firstly, it was suggested that I look at how to incorporate the writing into the composition rather than stand out. I'll re-work this until it becomes a part of the painting.
Secondly, to look at creating depth in certain areas. To glaze over areas where I want them to seep backwards. The same goes for glazing particular colours over areas to build coherence, for example, to use the same orange in the second composition over the man smoking on the right-hand side.
Third and lastly, something I had forgotten to mention in my previous blogs was how I am going to put these two compositions together. In the end, I decided to stack Tetris style (see third image). You can see how the building on the left-hand side from composition one, matches that to the bottom composition.
At the end of all of this, what I'm aiming for is for the viewer to interpret their own story from the information within. As I've figured for myself, this story relates to my cultural European upbringing which I will explain more in my next post with my final thoughts.


Manipulating Europe (Oil on board, 2023) is available for purchase.
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