Thursday, May 21, 2015

100 Painted Faces - #2

Um....to say I went 10 rounds with this painting is an understatement.  For painted face no. 2, I just went around and around in circles.  In the past, when this happened I would give up and walk away. Shove the canvas in a drawer so I didn't have to look at it.

100 painted faces

I took a bunch of progress photos along the way and was doing fine until I decided to add more layers.  I don't like when you can see through to the canvas.  But all of a sudden she turned into mud and I know what happened.

1.  I was tired.
2.  Because I was tired I wasn't actually mixing colors.
3.  I didn't pay attention to where my colors were going.
4.  I was trying to force it.

I decided to stop painting, set it a side, and then 
start again the next day.  

Maybe sometimes I fear if I mess up I won't 
be able to find my way back again.


I found my way back.  Each step wasn't perfect but I got there.  She sat for about 3 days before I actually started again.

100 painted faces

I would like to recommend the podcast I've been listening to while I paint.  It's called the Sarah Bagley Podcast...she is a recovering perfectionist and her podcast has really helped me push past my need for perfection.  I will give it my best shot and be okay with that.

100 painted faces

Do you feel me?  What do you do when you get stuck in a project?  What do you think about her purple highlights?  If you like this please feel free to share this post with your friends!  

Sharing with Paint Party Friday & Art it Friday

Click to Tweet: I will not be creatively paralyzed by fear and perfection.
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32 comments :

  1. AnonymousMay 21, 2015 at 6:52 AM

    I love the process photos! It's so neat to see how a painting evolves. And it's nice to see faces of women of color in mixed media paintings.

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  2. Kelly Roberts May 21, 2015 at 1:25 PM

    wow you did it! I love her eyes and her lips. they look so dimensional. thanks for sharing about how you took time away and started again. Yeah, who says it has to be done in one setting. :) great job!

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  3. Valerie-JaelMay 21, 2015 at 10:42 PM

    Wonderful work, Happy PPF, Valerie.

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  4. Clare LloydMay 21, 2015 at 11:59 PM

    She is fab

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  5. PaintingWriteMay 22, 2015 at 1:07 AM

    I'm so glad you went back to her as she is beautiful. I agree with you I don't like wishy washy paint on a canvas so you can still see the weave - my paintings are almost sculptures the paint is so thick! I also agree with you that it is so easy to overwork a painting - one minute it's going great and the next you hate it. You did the right thing in leaving it and coming back to it with fresh eyes.

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  6. LailaMay 22, 2015 at 2:34 AM

    Your end result looks very beautiful, and I love the purple used.

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  7. My name is Erika.May 22, 2015 at 3:04 AM

    I know, perfection desire is a really tough thing when you do art. But then I started taking my art a little less seriously, not that I don't want to be perfect, but I accepted imperfection by telling myself not everything needs to be a masterpiece. Still hard to deal with sometimes...I guess we never learn. So keep plugging away. This lady is gorgeous so I think you have perfection even if you see the flaws.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownJune 1, 2015 at 4:28 PM

      Thank you! Exactly..sometimes I need to relax and let things be and move on.

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  8. Rosie KaplanMay 22, 2015 at 5:00 AM

    Big Challenge but you will have fun. I have never suffered from perfectionism but do suffer a bit from sloppiness! One or the other is seems.

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  9. Claire JustineMay 22, 2015 at 5:05 AM

    Beautiful work :)

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  10. Linda KunsmanMay 22, 2015 at 5:40 AM

    thank you for sharing the process Danielle. I LOVE the purple highlights and find her to be so beautiful! I am learning to not fear "messing" up when painting a face and know that I can cover it up and go over it if I don't like something-thanks to some really fabulous online teachers:)

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  11. rose AKA Walk in the Woods - she/herMay 22, 2015 at 10:56 AM

    She is lovely. So lovely. As she should be, given the love you put into creating her.

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  12. JKWMay 22, 2015 at 1:18 PM

    I am glad you did show the process from what you didn't want to the outcome of a beautiful painting. Blessings, Janet PPF

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  13. dentheMay 22, 2015 at 2:24 PM

    I love her, the expression on her face, and I love the process she went through. When I paint a face I almost always get to a certain point that I think I'll never get it right again. Now I've painted so many faces that I know in the end I'll get it right if I just keep pushing through.

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  14. GlorV1May 22, 2015 at 4:46 PM

    Outstanding work. You did right by it.:)

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  15. RobinMay 22, 2015 at 9:09 PM

    Yes I totally understand. I have been trying to force "perfect" in my work and when I do that it just creates a mess. I have to leave it alone for the night and come back the next day with my favorite music blasting, and start again. If you look at my PPF post today I noted that it took at least 100 times to get the eyes "right".

    Your painting is beautiful in all her stages of creation. The colors, the expression all with beauty and emotion. I think that's what makes a great painting, don't you? Hugs, Rasz #62 oh, and try not to be so hard on yourself, you are perfect the way you are!

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  16. GigglesMay 23, 2015 at 1:30 AM

    This gorgeous I often wonder if we don't lose our true style while trying to force it to perfection. I find it interesting that my less contrived pieces are always the ones people prefer...go figure...especially when I'm not happy with them. Try walking away from it for a few days or a week and then come back and see if you are still critical of it! Personally I love her!

    Hugs Giggles

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  17. Maarit at Violets CornerMay 24, 2015 at 8:23 AM

    Embrace imperfection, I know so well the mud stage when using acrylics, I found out like you did too, that leave it to dry and then add new layers, The mud stage gives nice shadowing and depth. It's a fabulous portrait.

    Love and hugs
    Maarit

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  18. Irene RafaelMay 24, 2015 at 10:26 AM

    It was fascinating seeing your process. I love her soulful eyes.

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  19. froebelsternchenMay 26, 2015 at 3:25 AM

    fabulous face Danielle! Wow!

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  20. AnonymousMay 26, 2015 at 4:38 AM

    Beautiful work!!!
    Much Love
    Lina.

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  21. jenn shurkusMay 26, 2015 at 8:02 AM

    this is amazing!! :) have an awesome journey through your faces!! :) thank you for visiting my site!

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  22. Kim DellowMay 27, 2015 at 12:02 PM

    Brilliant post and I love the result. Well done for not giving up, it was definitely worth it and I bet your learnt lots. Thanks for sharing over at Show Your Face, I'm really glad you took photos at each stage, that is such a good idea. Kx

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  23. Julie LeeMay 27, 2015 at 12:26 PM

    This is a superb portrait. I think it has soul and often something painfully perfect does not. I love your work. xxx

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  24. Ayala ArtMay 27, 2015 at 4:54 PM

    Beautiful!!! Sometimes the imperfections make the work perfect!

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  25. UnknownMay 30, 2015 at 6:29 AM

    Thank you for coming by to visit my blog and first real little painting. You made me feel great about her. Your work is amazing and your attitude on fear and creativity. Very inspiring

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