This particular painting is a good example of my creative process: instead of thorough planning, I jump right into action and see where it takes me.
I do get jealous when looking at the processes of some established, crazy-talented artists. They draw detailed drafts and underpaintings, they create thoughtful color compositions, and they mix a beautiful selection of paints to daintily dip their brushes into in a choreographed manner before carefully placing them onto the canvas. Each piece adds up to a fabulous final result that is somehow larger than the sum of its parts.
Yeah, not me. I have an idea, an emotion, and often a rough pencil drawing in a notebook. I create a summary sketch on the canvas with heavy coal, and more often than not that sketch ends up being just a black blob I need to paint over. I definitely have thoughts on what colors I want to use, but when I start mixing my paints I get carried away and usually end up doing something completely different.
With this one, I was going for a black metal album cover vibe, with very dark colors slashed only sparingly with very high contrasts, but all in very washed out colors. Yet my attention span didn’t take me all the way to that really pale, greyish yellow I was aiming at, and I ended up splashing highlights in what could only be seen as a dirty neon yellow. I absolutely loathed the effect.
Then I hosted a nice, big party, and the exhibitionist that I am, I dragged many of the guests into my painting cellar to show some finished pictures as well as this work-in-progress. And yes, I realize that in such a situation the only thing a guest can politely say is “wow, so amazing, and that color really pops”. Still, I allowed myself be convinced and decided to lean into the dirty neon.
I went and foraged the cobalt blue hair extensions at a thrift shop, and the rest is history. Or at least somewhat more straightforward, unless you consider the fact that working with tangled hair extensions is absolute hell. Would not recommend.
Still, I’m kind of happy that this one has pops of color. I can always make that black metal album cover in the future.
Here’s a video of the process:
Angina | On the Side of the Angels 