Farmer’s Market Peppers – Stage 2

I always like a painting when I first put paint down, feel into the shapes, shadows and highlights, but the challenge is to continue to like it as it progresses.  There is usually always a point where I get frustrated with what’s happening and don’t know exactly how to proceed to turn it around.   I’ve learned to breathe and step back to study the work …. I look at the painting while I’m talking on the phone, reading the paper, watching TV.  I also find that getting away from it for a while – going for a walk, doing errands, etc – allows me to come back and see it with fresh eyes.  Inevitably, I’m able to see a new way to work through the issue and move through the rough spot.  After painting for over 25 years, I know this will happen and trust that it usually resolves itself if I just continue working the process.

PEPPERS

The challenge with PEPPERS is to create the shiny wax-like texture of the peppers, allowing some to recede using cool tones in their shadows while others, or portions of others, become warmer bringing them to the top of the pile.  Maintaining the high reflections of light helps to give them form and I’m also working on putting in the reflections of colors I see in peppers sitting next to each other.   At this point, I’m still not sure whether to paint in the rim of the basket and checked tablecloth that was underneath.  Time to go for a walk !