Two Hits and a Miss

I don't know if you'd call it overconfident, lazy, or how you would even label it, but sometimes (in art and life), when I think I've got the hang of something and that I'm unstoppable - along comes a porcupine to let me know I still have work to do.

So...so...so much work to do.

For example, I painted this otter and am in love with water. I also love the colors of the wings on the raven. These two paintings came together like spreading butter on hot toast. They were almost effortless. I was feeling on top of the world!

Then, along waddled this porcupine.

I've drawn her repeatedly, and therein lies the problem. I am not getting a great drawing; therefore, the painting will never meet my expectations.

Initial pencil sketch and first under painting.

It's easy to lie to myself and believe that the paint will cover up or fix any imperfections in the pencil layer, but that is never the case. The paint only highlights areas of the pencil drawing that are not to my liking.

One day I will learn this lesson. It's not today, but hopefully tomorrow. Until then, I will revel in the success of the otter water and raven wing!

Can you relate? Is there something that seems to teach you the same lesson again and again? A soufflé or a specific type of house plant?

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If you’d like a fun, possibly overly wordy newsletter that is extra heavy on the exclamation points delivered to your inbox every other week, then drop your email in the Subscribe Box.