The Problem with Restraint
The problem with restraint, in my view, is that it begets more restraint. "Blushing Birds" 9 x 12 Pastel on Paper View on my website There are times when restraint is important, even for artists. I remember the first pastel class where I had successfully been careful with my color choices and pastel strokes, and was amazed out the outcome when the painting was finished. I learned that restraint paid off if used in a strategic manner. Some of my favorite paintings are by the Fauves, because I love color. One of the reasons I'm so fond of pastels is because their colors are hard to resist. Once I had been painting for a few years though, I wanted to develop what I saw as a more mature style. This meant I had to start exercising some restraint, and make choices that took my paintings in a clear direction, rather than abandoning them to the use of wild colors. Years later, I'm struggling with the opposite problem. Lately I've caught myself shying a