"Waipu Cove breakthrough" 9x20" Oil on Canvas by Richard Robinson
Gotta love those happy accidents. I was out tutoring a lovely lady today (Hi Jennie), and was about 3 quarters finished my own painting when we both stepped back to take stock of our work. Suddenly a whirling sand dervish appeared and slammed my easel face down in the sand, not even budging Jennie's easel only feet away from mine. I wasn't over the moon with the work anyway so I wasn't too perturbed and after returning from washing my brushes off with water (water mixable oils) I decided to empty my water bottle over my painting to see if I could wash the sand off.
Next minute, the painting looks better than ever, and I was so much less precious about it that I attacked it without reservation and soon had this great expressionist painting sitting on my somewhat sandy easel. Thank God for happy accidents!
The next painting up the hill was somewhat more restrained, but halfway through I did take it off the easel, throw it in the grass (3 times), stamp on it a few times and drain my water bottle on it. That'll teach it!
So what's it all about? I'm simply trying to suggest objects rather than describing them, writing a poem rather than an essay, making music rather than practicing scales, letting the scene makes suggestions towards my artwork rather than dictating its terms. Above all, loving what I'm doing.
Next time you're not happy with a painting try beating it up, a bit. (Don't try this with other people's paintings).
"Shelly Bay" 9x12 Oil on Canvas by Richard Robinson
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TOO FUNNY and fantastic results!
Loved the Happy Accident! Sometimes we are too stressed about our work instead of relaxing and letting it flow. As Margaret Olley said: Some paintings have an easier birth than others. Amen Margy! One of my artist friends calls many of my paintings "happy accidents". He's a perfectionist realist painter and drives himself crazy with detail. Each to their own. He does some wonderful paintings.
Thanks Richard for this nifty interactive web site and for the great information..........smiles and LOL : ))
Thanks guys. Someone emailed me this comment about fixing faceplant paintings done with regular oil paints:
"I know you use water soluable oils but if anyone is into regular oils. I have a hint to salvage the painting. I learned it at a workshop and it WORKS.
Great paintings Richard, especially Waipu Cove.
Nice to learn about new tecniks
Both Rock : ))
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