This is not what it was supposed to look like. I was having fun with an expression of lightheartedness. Mapping out the lines & colors, it took on a more serious expression of shock, but I thought that when I started in on the more refined brushwork, the true spirit of it would emerge. Wrinkles in the forehead, the curl of a lip corner. But it never did.
Honestly, I can’t quite tell if I never painted the true expression or if I did but just can’t see it here. I look at it and I just see the state of America 2017. I examine eye corners, looking for a hidden wry smile. Nope, not there. A diligent artist would go back and fix it. OK, what lines and shading did I get wrong? Let’s correct that. But no, I must get back to Baxter in the snow. He must be finished by Sunday.
Look what I’ve done. I’ve projected my disgust with my country onto a perfectly good face. Complete with red, white, and blue.
canvas major 