Extreme Makeover 4

Still Life with a Conch Shell Cup

Vicente Collado Jr.
Makati
Thu 11th October 2012



Deciding what to paint is not always an easy task. This is true even when one already has a specific theme in mind - a landscape, a still life, a portrait or a floral arrangement. The still endless possibilities for each theme almost always lead to indecision and inaction.

I was once browsing a book of classical paintings in 2003, while in a similar state of paralysis, when the "bright" idea of creating a painting by combining cut-outs from old masterpieces hit me.

This was how the model for this featured painting came to be. In a desperate effort to jumpstart a new project, I resorted to this cut-and-paste method which resulted in a triangular composition with the conch shell cup as the main attraction and the shells, platter, fruits, flowers and drapery as supporting cast.

This collage of Old Masters became my guide for this piece, and so, it should not be surprising if many of the items in the picture sound familiar.


I was still a neophyte then, a time when my primary concern was just to paint forms correctly, obsessed on realism but understandably oblivious of other equally important elements of a good painting like linear and aerial perspectives, unity, variety, harmony and contrast.

It goes without saying I was quite happy with the result. But, it never really struck me as convincing enough. I admit even something less should have been too much to keep me satisfied given my level of expertise then. But, even though the shells, fruits and other images looked lifelike, I just felt something was off, and the bigger problem was I never knew what it was.

Now, of course, just a brief glance at it instantly produces in me a long mental list of shortcomings.

For example, the dominant color (umber or brown) is so overpowering that the viewer is left with no energy to appreciate other aspects afterwards. This is specially true of the massive curtain in the background which was initially placed there as a color balance to the conch shell cup and table rug but which had the unwanted effect of absorbing all the viewer's attention.

Likewise, although the color umber as intended unifies all the elements in the canvas, it makes the whole work too warm to my liking. This suited me well then when I was doing it in the cold of winter. But, as I look at it now under ambient temperature of 45C, I simply have to cool it down a bit.

Also, despite my focus on realism, I failed to include some basic elements like body and cast shadows that would have added more volume. There are also several occurrences of "kissing" where the edges just touch, like in the clusters of lemons and the shells at the bottom left. And, I don't like how the front edge of the silver platter seems to be a continuation and a part of the marble table edge. And, lastly, the shells look anything but natural.

But, most importantly, the whole composition is a bit chaotic. This must have been the adverse effect of the cut-and-paste method; it is simply hard for different pieces yanked out from distinct settings to mesh perfectly. For sure, it can stand the test of any compositional analysis if one tries hard enough, but I feel that a more harmonious and unified distribution of colors, forms and patterns is still possible and within reach.

These and more are reasons enough for me to start another makeover.


The following sequence of images depicts the major stages of the modification. In them, one can have a general idea of how forms were relocated and reshaped, colors redistributed, intensity readjusted and patterns removed. The culmination is the picture below, a more cohesive and balanced composition.



To finish, the background was glazed with a final coating. The wine was lightened and the glass stem was given a highlight. The reflections were added into the column and cup handle to make them blend with their surroundings. Final touch-ups were made where needed.

In this modified version, the dominant color brown has been replaced with a muted light orange - table rug and background. This color was chosen to complement the blue curtain and table cloth on the right. Its dullness ensures that it will stick to its supporting role always.

A greater balance in color and form was also achieved. The background color scheme (blue and pastel orange) is mirrored in the foreground (blue and pastel orange fabrics). The white table cloth is a counterweight to the white flowers and inner white surfaces of the shells. The light brown jar on left balances the mortar on the right. The conch shell cup is held in equilibrium by the shells on the left. The pedestal and silver platter offset each other.

To strengthen the unity of the composition, the conch shell cup was set on a broad swatch of green, yellow and burgundy (grapes, lemons and flowers) that spans across midway across the canvas. These act like threads that stitch all the elements into one piece.

Finally, to lead the viewer's eyes to the conch shell cup, the center of interest, I first made sure the greatest contrasts are situated around it. Value-wise, it is here where I placed the darkest dark (the underside tip of the shell) together with the lightest light (white petals). Second, I situated the most intense colors also in this area. The most vivid pinks and yellows are contiguous to the cup. I deliberately dulled the other yellows (lemons) and pinks (flowers)in the peripherals to silence them. Third, I made the drapery folds and rug border patterns all point to the focal point. Fourth, the sharper and more defined edges are also in the focal area; the edges of the leaves and other forms outside this area are blurred on purpose. Finally, I retained the bamboo basket in its original place as a strong textural contrast to the hard rock shell and the gold metal cup handle.

Naturally, I am much happier with this revised version, having achieved - at least, according to my judgment - all the goals I've initially set for myself. Screaming colors have been eliminated except in the focal point where they are needed; a solid equilibrium has been established among the contrasting shapes and colors; and, despite the initial impression of anarchy and chaos, unity and harmony actually reign supreme over the whole composition.