Oriental still life
This is a painting I did some time ago now but I would like to mention how sometimes it is not advisable to paint what you see in front of you. This breaks with the traditional wisdom to stay true to your still-life setup. There are three things I can do to improve this painting, that I can think of. What do you think?
The first is to scrape the white paint back in the upper left hand corner of the bowl and reshape it to a more precise structure. I feel it is out a fraction.
The second is the base of the bowl really was this color but doesn’t appear suited to stay as a terracotta color.Some have wrongly thought this is a plate! – not a bowl 
. I am thinking maybe an off white will make it look more acceptable as a bowl.
Lastly I took this painting to an art gallery and their response was” You can put a greater shine on the cheek of the lady.
But “ There was no shine on her cheek to begin with.”
I’m glad I didn’t bother with this gallery (or the changes)- they folded a few weeks later.
What do you think? I am really interested in your opinion and value imput highly.
Feel free to comment if you have a suggestion as I have been resisting to go back and “fix” it. There is always the fear that I could muck it up!
Thanks for replies and interest,
Cirrus
Comments (4)
I read somewhere that you have to paint what you know and not always have to paint what you see and that you can use your artistic licence to change colors if it make more sense.
For me personally the BG is too busy and compete with the figures in front. I will send you a picture of something similar that Helen van Wyk did once and you will see what I mean. Maybe if you can glaze over the BG with a neutral color just to push it back a bit. Your lady and the blue bottle is excellent
Sounds like good advice Wilma. The inspiration for this was “Asian Jewel” by Ted Seth Jacob.
The copy where I first saw this was bright, very bright.The original I’m sure is not the almost fleuro one I saw first off.
“A push back with a glaze will soften it,” she said, as my hands trembled with the potential damage I could cause.
Cirrus
I just had a look at the asian jewel, and for me it was difficult to see the copper budda and the other objects against the BG. It might be brilliantly painted, but too busy for my taste. Don’t change your painting if you are afraid of ruining it, its not worth it. I have ruined one or two of mine by listening to other people
No Wilma, I love you to comment. It is a great way for me to learn too. So don’t anyone ever hold back if you can see problems with my work.
I am glad people take the time to post. It says something about their intestinal fortitude.
I find this painting interesting as well for me. Most of mine I get tired of looking at in 5 minutes. This one I don’t at all. Sort of a hypnotic
Cirrus