Find myself extremely reluctant to go to work, after a long and frustrating weekend off. Realise that -again - I don't know what I'm doing; the painting to make logical sense needs now to have shadows, the fall of light and shadow across the figures as they come out from the cover of the carousel. But what is this picture to do with logic? Am I aping nature? What other purpose is served by faux illusion?? How many metaphors is it useful to mix ---
So, this morning will be spent drawing TWO models. Then I have an appointment re; plumbing in the little house, late afternoon clear. Tomorrow another appointment with the insurance people - afternoon clear - then a clear day followed by the arrival of a garden worker who will be here for three weeks. Have to feed him. Don't know how this will impact on working. Perhaps this explains my reluctance - without the run at it, frustration overwhelms me.
However, did go into the mountains on Saturday and may be able to use some of what I saw in the background of the Palais de Danse painting.
Later; drawing surprisingly helpful. Pavek, the male model, had hands worthy of a Rodin, huge, veined; big frame hung with bulky muscles. Thin long legs, big feet. His partner Micheala, the model of last week, turned into a little shapely young thing in his grasp. Quite unhesitatingly lovely together, clearly in love. I had the wit to use watercolour- alors, too many technical issues to get caught up in something so overtly sentimental. The task of 'doing' something within a time frame, in a place, with particular materials, overrides the analysis. No choices but unconsidered and perforce honest response.
Hindrances afterwards, (all welcome), meant that there was hardly any time in the studio before the light went totally. Knowing that artificial light is death to this picture, stopped... not before shadowing the ballerinas arms, better for the composition, and the inside of the skull, ditto; changing the lettering on 'de danse', fiddling with various issues. Pleased that I wasn't afraid to hack at it.
Got tomorrow afternoon. MUST finish. Its run its course through me.
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