Notes on Practice -- 'Unfinished'

There are always blank space in my paintings. It brings two different texture into one painting and also allows peolple to seek the possibility of this painting.

There are two paintings from the exhibition which I saw on last weekend in the National Gallery. The first one is from Martin Brooks. And the second one is from Noah Buchanan. And the point which catch my eyes is the elements of 'unfinished'.

There are two lines beside Buchanan's painting.

'Is the negative space in the middle just unfinished or is it a cloud?'

&

'The head is more finished than the rest of the painting, making you focus on his expression.'

Obviously, it is the issue of 'finished and unfinished'. Comparing most of the traditional oil paintings in the art history which were usually finished, now we can often see the unfinished elements in someone's paintings now. I tend to keep those 'unfinished' element in my paintings. I like the feeling of 'unfinished'. Because it makes my paintings more flexible. And it is also have someting to do with my painting language. I try to bring Chinese painting elements in my works. And the white, blank space is very usual in Chinese paintings. And I am a bit agree with the point that the unfinished space will 'make your focus on my expression.' That is also the language of painting.