Assignment

Stage 5: Edges and subtlety. Above all in the final moments of the painting I am looking for changes that will affect the big picture view of the painting- the composition.

1. Look for your sharpest and most contrasting edges, are they place close to the focal and most important part of the painting? Does the background frame the portrait well, or distract from it? These are the kinds of questions we are trying to answer in this moment.
2. Finally, take a BIG step back from your easel and look for the changes that you will need to make to maximise the impact from this distance. So often, as painters, we fall victim to overworking a painting. Usually this involves having too great a focus on how the painting looks while your nose is almost pressed to the canvas. Distance, in this case, will enhance the sense of breadth in your picture.