IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF ART - THE BREAK

Harley Brown's fascinating things no one else will tell you

HER WORLD

I think our human faces are always compelling and eternally inspiring. Note her head turned, showing the eyes, nose and lips having touches of light. The artistic journey with this portrayal needs "fine tuning" with her distinct, expressive features. There are a few strands of flowing hair, most of it is with dark shapes, adding to the drama. That edge of hair on the right is very soft as it lingers into the atmosphere. It especially works in contrast against the sharper edges of the nose and forehead. We sense her momentary aloofness as she concentrates on something in the distance.

I often talk about the joy art brings Lus day after day, but then there are times we're away from the easel much longer than usual. A while ago, I was on a two week "break" from my art, yet there were a number of projects keeping me totally occupied. Finally, late on the last day, I wandered into my studio and started a pastel portrait.

Right from the start, it was labored with none of my personal flourish. I pecked away, one stroke at a time with little continuity or flow. Each stroke was pondered, then once laid, had me worried...tense. Sure, I was back at the easel after that two week intermission, but my art was stilted, lifeless and definitely not Harley Brown. I felt I was retraining my hand and eyes; my hand felt like a lifeless lump and my eyes started glazing over as if in a stupor. Even my emotions got prickly. Sure, it had happened before, but this time I thought I'd really lost it and fell into bed, mentally exhausted.

The next morning I woke up a bit fidgety and went straight to the studio. The art piece there on the easel, seeming to look even worse than when I left it. It was though a gremlin snuck in and threw on extra wonky strokes to rattle me more. This was grim: the jerky, murky manner from a confused and somewhat collapsed mind.

Then...