{"id":28325,"date":"2023-09-01T14:06:57","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T21:06:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.howtopastel.com\/?p=28325"},"modified":"2023-09-04T19:14:12","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T02:14:12","slug":"working-in-a-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.howtopastel.com\/2023\/09\/working-in-a-series\/","title":{"rendered":"Working in a Series – Unlocking Creative Potential for Artistic Growth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


Have you ever found yourself stuck in the limbo of creative indecision, unsure of what to paint next? Or perhaps you’ve grappled with the fear of making mistakes and end up not painting at all?? If these challenges resonate with you, then diving into the world of working in a series might just be the process your artistic soul needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the theme for June in my IGNITE! Membership<\/a>, it was aaaamazing how this idea of working in a series brought forth a mass of effort and fabulous work from members! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So let\u2019s have a look at what this all means. (You’ll see paintings from my Scissors series scattered through the post, illustrating the idea of working in a series.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\"Working<\/a>
Gail Sibley, “Scissors 1 – Splayed,” Unison Colour pastels on UART 400, 6 x 11 in. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Exploring the Art of Working in a Series<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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The concept of working in a series entails a profound artistic journey\u2014a voyage that transcends the creation of standalone artworks. It revolves around the development of a collection of paintings that share a common thematic thread and that build one on top of the other, moving from one to the next within an undefined timeframe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In essence, it\u2019s a pilgrimage of discovery that unfolds over time. Unlike the fleeting exploration of a single piece, working in a series allows you to delve deeper into your chosen topic, exploring its facets and nuances comprehensively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Working<\/a>
Gail Sibley, “Scissors 2 – Wide Open,” Unison Colour pastels on UART 280, 6 x 11 in.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Crucially, there\u2019s no predetermined quantity of pieces, nor a rigid timetable to guide the process. And the decision to conclude a series is rooted in your intuitive sense of completeness\u2014a culmination of exploration, energy, and passion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A series, fundamentally, should form a visual narrative when viewed together, with each piece complementing the others. This cohesiveness will enable you to articulate and convey the essence of your exploration with clarity and conviction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s essential, however, to clarify misconceptions. A series should not be confused with recurring themes within an artist’s body of work. Themes like my Gallery Goers<\/em> and Dog Walkers <\/em>are distinct from a series in that they do not coexist within a singular timeframe nor do they build on each other. A series thrives on continuity and progression, with each painting building upon its predecessor, even if subtly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Gail<\/a>
Gail Sibley, “Facing Fragonard (Gallery Goers series),” Unison Colour pastels on UART 500, 10 x 10 in. Available at Peninsula Gallery<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Paint<\/a>
Gail Sibley, “In Unison” (Dog Walker series), Unison Colour pastels on UART 400, 7 x 7 in. Available at Peninsula Gallery<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lastly, it is crucial to emphasize that working in a series is not synonymous with production-driven work. While it may yield an inventory of artworks, the primary focus remains on experimentation and the creative process. The eventual outcome may indeed yield pieces suitable for sale, but this is not the principal intent of embarking on a series\u2014it\u2019s all about nurturing artistic growth and exploration. And getting you painting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Working<\/a>
Gail Sibley, “Scissors 3 – At the Ready,” Unison Colour pastels on UART 600, 8 3\/4 x 6 in.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Bounty of Benefits<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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