I thought I was done… scanned it and closed the book.
I was happy, at least I thought I was, yet I knew something was off. I studied it using what Roz Stendahl calls the “editing eye”. This isn’t some rash commentary from my internal critic but an honest review of technique and composition to determine what could be improved.
Although I lost the tilt of his head in comparison to the inspiration photo I could live with that. Instead I focused on how washed out my watercolors looked. Now that was something I could change.
Another layer of darker pigments for his hair and beard and a deeper orange glaze for his jacket and I was done.
Not perfect… but done.
#Arteza A4 watercolor book
Dana Burrell... Art 
Wonderful. We are in a parallel universe. Just what my focus was recently. Great that you took photos of both stages! Good insight: the gut instinct is not the inner critic.
Sometimes it’s not using enough pigment to start but I think it’s the paper this time. It seems to suck all the color into the fibers. Taking a step back or waiting a day gives me the space I need to really see!
WOW!! Dana that is really good! Hope you had a great turkey day!
Thanks Joanne! We had a great visit with family… I hoe your Thanksgiving was wonderful too!