PRAIRIE GLASS ORIGINAL PAINTING | 30 X 40 | OIL ON CANVAS | © BETH COLE

When I painted this painting a year ago, I was very happy with the way it turned out and the feel of it. I had so many compliments on it as well. It showed about every place I could think of.

As summer shows approached this year, I still had it. I have a nice frame for it but I didn’t want to drag it around for round two. So. A makeover was in order.

What do you do when you want to paint over a painting? Grab a brush and just start? Stare at it to see what you can see? Gesso over the parts that aren’t working and rebuild them?

I have tried all of these methods, but this is what I most often do.

First, I take a photo with my iPad. Then I import the photo into a digital art program called Procreate (there are many others as well). Then I create a new layer and start painting over my painting! It is an awesome way to experiment with different approaches without mixing a drop of paint. My friend, Jeanne, does all of her paintings with Procreate and she has taught me several tips and tricks.

My thought process with the makeover went something like this.

The sky is nice but there is not enough light.
The horizon line is messy and doesn’t make sense.
The color of the ground plane and foreground grasses don’t match the lighting conditions.
Adding light in the sky with a matching reflection would make a stronger focal point than …..
….Leading the eye to nowhere.

I tried to implement these ideas in the second version. I’m much happier with it this time through. I even renamed it — “Glow.” What do you think?

GLOW | 30 X 40 | OIL ON CANVAS | © BETH COLE

Thanks for following along all the way to the end! I would love to hear your voice in the comments, don’t be shy now.

—Beth Cole
Soli Deo Gloria

Art + Such Blog by Beth Cole

Before And After Painting Makeover