I have really spent a good part of my painting time this year on animals, mostly birds and flowers. It's nice to switch things up. The more realistic works hold a different type of creative release and satisfaction. They are not as loose as the abstract but I love the building of the layers and how they eventually get to the point of where I want them.
All of these type of pieces I go through the same process. For the first few (or 10) layers I will absolutely hate it. A lot of them are requests or commissions and I am not sure if it's challenge or the added pressure of commissions but I will regret the paintings for the first few sessions I work on them. I swear the only factor that gets me to keep working is that I committed to the client and would hate to let them down.
By around the 3rd or 4th time I sit down with a piece, it will begin the turning point. When I start to feel some progress. That the shape starts to form and the shading starts to reach my preferences. They take much longer and are a fantastic exercise of my patience, that has been know on occasion to be short. The longevity of the more realistic work has shown me to embrace that I even have a process and just let it happen.
Happy Birthday Dad!