We need to be flexible. No painting ever unfolds exactly the way we see it in our minds. Sometimes there isn't even a plan. For some unknown reason, watercolorists have a difficult time adding other mediums to the mix, as transparent watercolor, the pure way to work, is considered by some to be preferable. But sometimes the limitations of the medium snag the progress. "Garden Bench" started as a large watercolor. I didn't have a preconceived notion of its appearance. But I knew that I wanted the end result to have a sun-parched, chalky feel. At some point in its evolution, I added gouache. That helped, but I seemed to spiral on and on without arriving. Enter Christmas season and the painting was put away for reconsideration. Come February, I had had it. What did I have to lose? Pastel was added, and washed down with water and a large brush. The resultant painting had the feel that I wanted. I arrived.....through the back door.
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