At what point on the paper do you touch the pencil to begin? Does the first line of a novel just fall out as complete? Or the melody for a song? Or a letter? What is your process?
I’m beginning a commission for a beautiful friend and lily grower. She sent me a photo that she likes and I’m starting there. But why not put her in a lily garden? Or a sunny beach? or with a garden tractor? And what if her head were turned a bit more to the right? And. . . and. . . and. . .
First, I really want the image to be accurate (recognizable) but a slight difference in relative proportions ruins the attempt. Here I didn’t get her facial features right. If I hold it up to a mirror I can spot the trouble areas. (A trick shared with me by friends. Thank you)
If my goal is to reproduce the picture exactly, then the picture itself is all that’s needed. What extra something can the artist, author, cook, or songwriter bring to the table? This is a composite to give me an idea about how the garden background might work.
Occasionally, you know exactly what you want the finished project, dish, painting, or story to be. As a forever beginner, I usually dither around until it feels right. What’s your process?
