Ever get stuck on a project? This blog post offers a little bit of advice (or perhaps it is just common sense.)
Return to the source. This helps you see if you have all the facts.
I took a field trip to the house to figure out the details that were hidden in the photos. I drew up some rudimentary floor plan outlines and took more photos. A bonus was that I got to visit with Mrs. Customer, a truly delightful person. She is giving me so much leeway on this painting – an artist’s dream for a commissioned painting.
(The photos I took are boring unless you are the one doing the painting, so I’ll spare you.)
Immediately apply any new information you just learned. (‘Fo’ you forget it!)
After some careful consideration, I moved the chimney over some more. Then I made a few scooting changes on the house – subtle but necessary. The paint was still wet in those areas from the previous session, so I took my own advice about what to do when I feel stuck.
Find a new area to work on.
When I feel stuck, I look at the project carefully to determine if there is any area in which I can make progress. (When I had lots of kids in drawing lessons who all needed help at the same time, I would tell them to sharpen their pencils or erase their smeary margins while they waited.)
LANDSCAPING! I can do this!
I raised up the easel in order to reach the bottom edge, and then proceeded to break the rules of painting furthest to closest. Since I’m the boss of my painting, no one yelled at me. I hate being yelled at.
This now required a bunch of different greens and two colors that I only use for redbud and lupine. It was really fun.
It looks so much better in person that I considered not posting this last photo. When the paint is wet, the camera sees the reflective shine and it makes the color fade away on the camera.
Guess you’ll have to trust me.
Maybe in the next painting session the house areas will be dry enough so I can untangle it one little section at a time, the same way I handled the landscaping. If not, there’s plenty more landscaping to work on.
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