This painting is still raggedy; some parts, such as the hair, are barely started. The thing I’m not happy with is the title: Phone Call on Main Street. It’s not so much a title as a description.
Unfinished painting on the easel
I don’t like the raised edges that can occur where two carefully-painted areas meet. Beneath the bench, you can see that I haven’t ‘colored within the lines’ with the background. When the background is finished (it’s close), I’ll complete the bench and avoid raised edges where the bench meets the ground. You can also use a palette knife to smooth down edges before the paint is completely dry.
I’ve heard of some artists actually sanding the surface of a painting that is ridge riddled, or otherwise horny. Personally, if a painting becomes so lumpy and ridged as to invite sanding, I would abandon it. Such a surface would be too bad hearted and untrustworthy. The only time I use sandpaper on a painting surface is when I want to smooth a fresh layer of gesso.
Phone Call on Main Street is 40″ x 50.”