A couple of weeks ago, while working on a sketch for the painting posted directly below, I started working with just outlines and bold shapes, as a way of taking a fresh look at the subject. At the time, I thought "why not just paint the sketch?" One of the feelings I have had in the last couple of months is that I have been doing too much painting, with too much unnecessary fiddling around.
I re-thought my entire work process, ditched the use of photo references, and worked solely from sketches to produce a bolder look that is graphically-stronger, featuring more saturated, spontaneous color. I am pleased that, although this painting went through several preparatory sketch revisions, the final has the carefree quality of an impromptu sketch.
One of my goals for this Spring was to get to a place, in a new medium, where I was eager to be painting again: a feeling of "I can't wait to get back to the drawing board". This re-direction is satisfying because it sets aside many work habits that had been plaguing not only my recent work, but perhaps my output for quite some time. I've also had my fill of agave for the time being, and a new painting is in the works.
