Drawing/Painting time ratio

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This was the water tower at Holbrook-Palmer Park in Atherton with the Thursday group last week. I spent time composing, making sure there was a range of values in the scene, and focusing on what drew me to this in the first place. All that was good. Framing - check.  Cropping - check.  Values - check.
Then I started drawing.
And drew and drew and drew.

Agreed that the perspective is tricky, and the angles are odd but I'm happy with the drawing. But I spent so long drawing that I barely got any paint down before it was time for lunch and show-and-tell. So, at the risk of maybe not being as accurate, it is important to sketch loosely and get the paint flowing.
I forgot this was hot press, and continued to layer in the bottom right, and made it somewhat blotchy. Oh well.

A philosophy arose from this painting’s journey: find the detail that drew you in, keep the focus, frame and crop. Never forget the focus. Don’t be tempted to add this thing, and then that too. The focus gets lost. Remember that small detail that drew you in. Keep the focus. Philosophy for life as well.


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