A Difference of a Few Scrapes and Strokes

I’m always amazed at what a difference a few strokes can make in a painting. Often times I feel anxious about a painting, and wonder (continuously) whether it is time to scrape it down and just start over. But a few scrapes of a palette knife or razor blade is all often all that is needed, which provides me with a fresh surface to lay down some new strokes, maybe changing the color or value just slightly. I think this painting is a good example. While I’m not convinced I will keep the painting, it definitely improved when I began by scraping and repainting the bottom portion of the painting. That led to a little lightening up of the background (with fewer strokes than one might assume), and a little work in the vase. The whole painting lit up when I decided to make a few changes at the bottom.

Stage II, January Bouquet I, 14 x 11, oil on panel.

Stage I, January Bouquet I, 14 x 11. Oil on panel.