 |
| Agapanthus II (unfinished) Shevaun Doherty 2015 |
"Procrastination is like a credit card: it's a lot of fun until you get
the bill."
Christopher Parker
I love what I do, but
sometimes it’s a struggle. On my easel is
another Agapanthus flower, promised long ago and so has to be finished. They are beautiful flowers, but at this stage, I’m a bit Agapanthus-weary. I have found myself doing absolutely anything rather than sit down at my desk and paint. My house is spotless, my ironing is done, I've even submitted my UK VAT returns!
another Agapanthus flower, promised long ago and so has to be finished. They are beautiful flowers, but at this stage, I’m a bit Agapanthus-weary. I have found myself doing absolutely anything rather than sit down at my desk and paint. My house is spotless, my ironing is done, I've even submitted my UK VAT returns!
But paint I must!
 |
| So work begins! |
 |
| Another day, another bit added |
My Agapanthus
flowers, so carefully brought back from Bantry House, were
already beginning to fade. The flowers never really
opened, which actually suited me fine. The buds are easier to do and still very
attractive. However every time I moved, a few more buds would drop.
I needed to
include a few flowers, so dug out my earlier studies.
 |
| Using an earlier study to add a few buds |
People have often asked
me why I spend so much time doing colour charts and studies, but it really
helps. By doing colour studies, I become very familiar with the flower and how
it grows, far more so than if I had just taken a photograph.
 |
| Borrowing a flower |
 |
| Painting from a study is so much easier than from a photograph |
Slowly slowly the Agapanthus begins to grow on the page.
 |
| Oh dear!! It wasn’t long before
even the flowers had lost all patience with my procrastinating! Thank God I had enough visual references to finish this off! |
 | ||
Using an earlier painting to help me find flowers for the back of the second painting
|
No more procrastinating- it's back to work!
“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”
Jim Rohn
Agapanthus blossoms are very daunting--no wonder you struggled to keep at it. I find that the normally boring task of straightening a messy closet becomes irresistibly inviting when I am faced with a challenging botanical subject, but thank heavens for deadlines! Your painting is beautiful--I look forward to seeing the finished piece!
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing here, Janene! Yes, my wardrobes are all sorted and straightened! Yes, thank God for deadlines because it pushes you to get things done! The painting is beginning to take shape now (yaay!), so I can see an end of blue flowers in sight. I'm not sure that I would rush into doing another just yet! Thanks though.
Delete