Several weeks ago I started an acrylic painting of a building at the end of a road. It was sort of painted in a traditional manner, meaning I was trying to represent reality. Truthfully, it bored the hell out of me, but I kept it as it was fairly decent in my opinion, but it did put me to sleep.
Working with brighter colors of late has really been exciting for me as I feel much more of a connection to the colors I use than I do to subject matter. Subject matter can be anything – but colors express more to me and are more true to who I am (a magpie reincarnated as an old bat) than subject matter in general. So, I took the painting and painted over it. Below is the original.
This is a photograph I took and it is pretty crap (above) as there is a lot of weird stuff going on. I didn’t think it scanning it because of its size. This morning I scanned my current iteration of this painting.
I like this much better, but it is not quite done. I need to work on the road in the foreground as well as details of the building. More windows, fix windows, fewer windows? Create some focus at the end of the road? Fix the road? Cast some shadows – creating light and dark – across the road?
Many things to consider here. I am going to let it sit and ignore it awhile. If you have any ideas, let me know!
Acrylic, canvas, 18×24, scanned on an Epson V600.
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
Well the road looks more roady in the first one, the second road is a bit mushy, but the second one is nice and bright and eye catching.
I agree, Fraggy. That’s why I know I still need to do more on it, but am pondering it. The question is what? Your observation is correct – and that mushy road is one of my “gotta fix it” – but how?! 😉
Do the same as you did in 1, with the colours you used in 2? 😃
Okay, you asked for this. For me, I’d like to see the road look more like a road. I Iike that you added detail in the buildings. Since the background building has a door, the road should lead to it. I also like the new colors. They are vibrant. Remember, I’m not an artist! Have fun with this.
Thanks, Anne! Fraggy also mentioned the road, and I am in agreement with you both. The road is important. It does slope off, downhill, on the right. That shows up in the original, but not in version 2. The building is also interesting as the door is on a balcony, but I agree again, something at the end of the road needs to be there for focus and direction. Thanks for the input!
Agree with you there, Fraggy!
I like both paintings. They tell very different stories, to me. I love how the road looks in the brighter painting. I feel unqualified to suggest any improvements, but since you asked……The distant door is the focal point and the destination of the road. Why not make it look different from the windows?
Thanks for the input, Laura Kate. I was just putting in shapes when doing the windows and door. I agree, the door needs to be different. My concern is the windows and doors could become too distracting – and the end of the road sort of needs to be leading us up to – what?? I think your input is very good!
You will find a way forward, and learn al ot, I’m betting.