Recently I was working over an old canvas. It’s not that large (18” by 24”), big enough for a decent painting and small enough not to worry too much about the outcome. Often a good plan eh!
I’ve been working from a photo reference that I took a good while ago, keeping things fairly ambiguous, creating more of a mood than a specific view. I thought I’d found something new in it, so I was furiously painting away. As with one or two of my paintings, when I happened to prop it up, with the upside down, I thought it looked rather good. Paintings should “work” whichever way up they are viewed and here was an example, unbidden.
Now I have a dilemma….which way up do I sign it?
Hi David, Such insightful thoughts. I think they’re both great… but if I had to choose, I’d go for the bottom one! Hope that helps. 🙂
If I needed to choose, I too would choose the bottom option, but that choice was made when viewing the two paintings on a small screen (ie my phone). I am not sure if a larger size would make a difference in my preference.
I have to agree that I think the bottom painting is my favourite of the two. The composition looks like an opening in the woods with the dark foliage at the top and a splash of sunlight near the base of the trees on the bottom right.
In doubt forbear thee and find a good marouflage technique
…humm, signing it both ways up would perhaps be easier!
David… You could toss a coin as either one works well although I have a slight preference for the bottom one.
I think the top one. cheers, Celia