Thankfully there is always an end to yesterday. And to whining. Once I got tired of my own whining about this not working and that not good enough(see the previous post), I had the clarity to see that the only way to change what I don’t like in my art, is to work at it.
..Clementines in charcoal on paper, 43X60cm..
So here is what I went for:
- I worked only charcoal and white conté sticks.
- Large format. I will go bigger still, bit for the time being 43x60cm is plenty.
- I put the drawing on my easel and work with the whole arm and not the wrist, standing back often to get distance.
- No details.
- Large and free strokes.
- No erasing.
- No planning ahead, trusting impulse.
- Still worked from life..whatever is around, but no photos.
- No direct copying, put marks and lines as I felt and wanted, whether it is correct or not.
- Stopped early enough, while I still had the urge to continue.
 I enjoyed this process todayeven though it still has my typical mark making, I feel happy about it. Will continue experimenting.
The paper is bending on the easel as I didn’t add a big enough support behind it, so the colour and focus are not perfect all over the paper.
Some close ups below to see the marks and smudges.
Close up 1
Some of the close-ups actuall make for nice pieces on their own..so the piece of work can be torn or cut into sections and reworked..maybe collaged as part of another work…?
Close up 2
Close up 3
Close up 4
Stay tuned for loads of work in the next few weeks..and if you feel like joining in..please do so.
à bientôt
Ronelle
Africantapestry 
They are wonderful..each and every one..
Thank you Monique…hope you are still busy painting too ?
Ronelle
Myfrenchkitchen
Coin Perdu
Africantapestry
Café des artistes
_____
your work looks lovely, the light corner on the right works well ! looks like the sun is shining
Thank you Gwenniesgarden…the light is actually more the daylight lamp from above, but I do have a little lither corner there. You’re right…looks like the sun coming in, although, here in France, it is very far from sunny!
Ronelle
Myfrenchkitchen
Coin Perdu
Africantapestry
Café des artistes
_____
Here in Belgium we get loads of rain and wind but the temperatures are nice.
I would say you definitely have your ‘mojo’ back! 🙂 I cannot tell you how much I love these! I would buy them from you!
I have never worked with charcoal. Any tips? Brands? I see tubes of something on your easel. Did you use those too?
Spectacular!!!
I love how charcoal can be smudged and rubbed for different effects. Love your beautiful clementines. It seems fitting at this monochrome time of year 🙂
Susan..there was a time I worked so much in charcoal and loved it…good to be working with it again! Thank you!
Ronelle
Myfrenchkitchen
Coin Perdu
Africantapestry
Café des artistes
_____
Brilliant !!!! I think it was just an off day that made you need to whine ( as you say) and we all have days like that. I’ve never tried charcoal only for lighting the BBQ ….ha! ha!
Thank you Barbara..I think I needed the whining to get my behind moving !! Hhehe.
Ronelle
Myfrenchkitchen
Coin Perdu
Africantapestry
Café des artistes
_____
What I notice immediately is your composition! Same thing for your radishes! How do yo do that? I find composition so difficult! It’s always a matter of chance with me. I can’t seem to plan it!