I like different experiences to challenge my art making. I find it stimulating to approach painting from avenues I have never traveled. Experimenting allows me to explore new concepts, ideas float through the grey matter until one is chosen. I place pencil to paper and start.
As I looked and sketched the model, I found myself thinking how the curves and rounded form conveyed a beautiful rhythm. I wanted to enhance the rhythm by adding geometric shapes that would mimic the curves. I started adding various circle shapes to the sketch in the background in a rhythmic pattern. The shapes worked to bring more focus to the figure. The sketch was lacking strength, it needed something to counter-balance the roundness. I thought I would add rectilinear lines as weight in the foreground. The addition worked. I wanted to do a painting in oil from the sketch.
Thinking about how I would go about color choice brought me to want a limited palette. It would be the way to go to create a harmony I would be looking for. I chose five colors white, red, yellow, blue and burnt sienna. I lightened the colors to a mid-light color scheme, saving the darker hues for the figure I felt this would work well. As the painting developed, I knew I had made to correct choice.
I do not think I would have used geometric shapes with organic had I not thought about doing something different. The challenge was met, and I felt good with the results.
