Gila. Confidence Regained

Gila. Watercolour and coloured pencil on 300gsm Cotman Paper

I've been through a really bad patch with my paintings for the last few months. There have been times when I've looked at a blank sheet of paper and given up before I've started. Where I have started, I've given up before finishing the work, or ended up with something dull and uninspiring - way below what I wanted to achieve. I know that I am busy at work these days, and when there has been time to paint, there always seems something else that needs doing.


Yesterday, it all changed. I thought to myself 'No TV tonight, I'm really going to make an effort, loosen up and do a painting from start to finish; not worry about how good or bad it turns out!'


With this portrait of Gila, I've used a slightly different technique. Out has gone the pencil and eraser, and I've used a mid brown coloured pencil instead, sketching her face very loosely, leaving in all the unwanted lines. If you look closely, you can see initial lines that were were altered, as with crayon there is no rubbing out. I also used the crayon to enhance the shadows and darks initially, just to show a little form before adding watercolour. This has mostly been covered with paint except lighter areas.


The finished work has given me much more confidence, being a good likeness and by the way it has turned out. I feel like I have just come out of a deep depression and that I am getting back on form. Thank the Lord!