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Earlier work better in some cases?
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Message
Posted
Thought I'd start a new topic for discussion. One of the members of a local art group I belong to said that he thought the work he was producing a few decades ago is as good as what he does now. Got me thinking. Some of my earlier work seems better than what I produce now, which in a number of cases I'm not happy with - does this happen to you? If so, any thoughts?
Posted
Some paintings, yes, but not many. It really all depends on how you view your own work. I find myself becoming increasingly critical of my own stuff, yet the ones from the past are vague in the memory. After a few months/years I often can't recall what it was I wanted from the painting, so I'm less critical. Sometimes I'll unearth an old one and think "Not as bad as I thought". It's an interesting question, Sandra.
Bri
Posted
I sometimes look back at old stuff and decide it’s better than I thought at the time I did it. Other times I just bin it.
I’m struggling for consecutive time at the moment so I have lost something in the lack of working . Hopefully I will pick myself up again. Yes an interesting question Sandra .
Posted
I sometimes come across an old painting and think it better that at the time it was painted, maybe there is a good elf that touches then up for me. On a serious note I have posted a couple of my older paintings recently as I’m not able to paint at the moment, they have all received a reasonable review much better than I though. Like a lot of artist in my worst critic and find fault with my work quicker than good.
Posted
Very good question Sandra! I have a few of my older paintings which I thought quite good at the time, and some less so. I’ve come to the conclusion that my work is different rather than necessarily better or worse. In the last few years I’ve been to one particular class where I felt I learned a lot about putting a painting together, but we were generally painting from the same photo and therefore not what I would necessarily choose myself, and I think that’s an important part of the game- making your own choice whether it be photo or actually being there, because I want to ‘feel’ and immerse myself in the subject. That particular class has now stopped so seems a good time to explore other ideas otherwise it’s easy to get into a rut of ‘class Tuesday, finish by end of week etc’.
I also feel the need for a new direction in my work which I’m not finding much time for at the moment. Hopefully the New Year will allow more time and some new ideas!
Edited
by Tessa Gwynne
Posted
On the few occasions that I look back on some of my earlier work, I’m talking stuff that I posted on the gallery, frankly I’m far from impressed with some of it.
Not all by any means, some isn’t too bad in general, but I’ve always been the same about old work. I’m tending to spend more time on each painting these days, and enjoying painting far more by working this way.
I tend to have two or three paintings on the go at any one time, returning to them individually with fresh eyes, I find it helps! But I’m always looking for some improvement each time, it doesn’t necessarily happen.
Posted
I think there’s a lot to be said for working on more than one piece at a time Alan. It probably stops us being too obsessive and fiddling with one. I read an article by an artist recently (portraitist) who often has up to four on the go at any time and it obviously works for her. I’m also planning to concentrate on quality rather than quantity, hopefully!
Posted
Looking back at some off my earlier work I think its a lot more precise a lot I consider rubbish!! Being a part of POL has definitely helped to improve my work, I am much more relaxed with my paintings and more experimental. I still like to add detail but find I paint in a looser style which i'm quite happy with at the moment. Paul I think your early paintings have been great and Jim I hope you are feeling better soon.
Posted
I'll be really interested to see your acrylic pours when you get time to do them. One of the art materials stores here runs workshops in this technique. I've been to 2 or 3 of them but decided that this technique wasn't for me. I do like the results that some artists achieve with fluid pours. Good success with your experimenting Michael.
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