They say that knowing how to end an artistic work is more an act of surrender than the conviction that you are done. They say that DaVinci only completed 20 paintings for certain and that he left a large number of works unfinished. Technically, this includes the Mona Lisa, which he worked on from 1503 until he died in 1519. I am sure that most artists feel for DaVinci who, despite his massive talent, apparently found ways to make himself crazy over projects he was working on just as much as a weekend painter. Or maybe I am projecting.
My cat Boris is no Mona Lisa, that’s for sure, although he is about as mysterious and intractable. (Except at meal time. Then he has no trouble telling me exactly what’s on his mind.) He deigned to pose for me for a photograph which I attempted to turn into a color drawing for a class I am taking at Fleisher Art Memorial.
I normally draw in pencil, but decided to try some color.
Here’s how the drawing took shape after adding a bit of watercolor pencil.
And a little more. . .
And a little more. Maybe I’ve gone beyond the point of no return here, or maybe there’s still a more detail to add. A lot? A little? Am I finished?
                    Boris wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving.
Ornamento 