The
first thing people say to me is “I can't even draw a stick person”.
That is exactly what I said, when I mentioned that I wished I could
paint.
Finding
that special creative part of you is like anything else you learn in
life, you must look for it and work to develop it. Think positively,
your first drawings and paintings may not look just like you “see”
them, practice makes perfect.
I
find that I am most creative when I am loose and don't try to make an
exact replica of the subject. Use your imagination, something we
quit doing as we become adults. Children are quite adept at using
their imagination we have to search within ourselves to find that
magic once again.
Drawing
and painting will help you find your creative center. We tend to see
things in a quick manner, and don’t really look at the small
things, instead we look at the “whole picture”. The forest
rather than the beauty of a single branch hanging heavy with snow, a
leaf, dripping with raindrops, the reflections of rocks and leaves in
a puddle. The simplest things will begin to delight you when you
truly look at them.
Take Chances
Take Chances
Paint
what you enjoy. Follow the thread of your interest even when you
have no idea of where it might lead. It is a good sign when you have
no idea what the end will hold. Sometimes the result is a disaster,
but usually you will experience positive growth.
Striving
for Growth
Realize
what works for you, but don't get complacent. Search out your
mistakes and constantly strive to improve. There is no perfect
painting, no matter what your level of expertise. This is what keeps
us moving ahead, learning seeking knowledge, from which we grow.
Tune
the Rest of the world out
The
struggle for self definition “finding yourself” can only be found
from within. You must have enough confidence to ignore both
compliments and criticisms, if they are contrary to your vision.
Remember no one else can see or understand what you are striving for.
You must reach the destination on your own. Don't paint for someone
else regardless how “wonderful a subject is, if it evokes no
emotion in you it will never come to life for you. If you are
genuinely excited about something, it will reflect in your painting.
Don't
avoid subject matter that you have seen someone else do
Throughout
the long history of art just about everything has been done and
redone. If you are true to your vision your rendition can't help but
reflect your unique viewpoint. We all see things in our own way
What
to Paint
As
an artist we usually draw on two sources, your imagination and
physical observation. Sometimes I see something and it forms a
picture of a painting in my mind. When I begin the painting, I
assemble a variety of reference materials from which to draw on. The
final painting takes on its own life, as I see it.
Physical
and Mental Preparation
I
usually do a fairly loose drawing, the painting isn't totally planned
in my mind, but takes shape as I go. If I feel the need for more
planning I will do some thumbnail sketches. Usually I have a good
idea of where I want to go with it, in my mind, before I start the
painting and other times it simply evolves.
Focal
Point
I usually paint the background first, you can never regain the flow of it if you try to paint around objects later. Once the background is dry, I usually go right to the main topic, the center of interest., the
heart of the painting. At this point I will do a loose sketch with either chalk or just a runny mixture of paint. Using gesso at this point, I will quite often paint the main area and then will have a light and brighter base to create the focal point. With the center of interest completed the rest of
the painting is relatively easy. It is not until most of the
background is covered up that the painting begins to hold together.
This rarely bothers me as I am mentally filling in the blanks as I
go.
Have CONFIDENCE in yourself
If
you don't feel you are blessed with the ability to envision the end
product before it is complete, be careful of showing your work in
progress to someone else. A negative reaction to it can dampen your
original enthusiasm for it. There have been many times I have felt like giving up on a painting only to find at the end when it is all finished it is quite beautiful. I very rarely give up on a painting.
Stepping Back
As I work on a painting I will step back where I can see it as a whole. When working close up, you become too focused on "one spot". Also when I am done for the day, I will prop up my painting where I can view it while just sitting and relaxing, I have an inner sense of when the painting is finished, but I will also do the prop and look for sometimes a week or more, it is amazing that all of a sudden something will pop out at me that needs to be corrected. If nothing pops out at me and I am feeling satisfied with the painting, I will then sign it.
Stepping Back
As I work on a painting I will step back where I can see it as a whole. When working close up, you become too focused on "one spot". Also when I am done for the day, I will prop up my painting where I can view it while just sitting and relaxing, I have an inner sense of when the painting is finished, but I will also do the prop and look for sometimes a week or more, it is amazing that all of a sudden something will pop out at me that needs to be corrected. If nothing pops out at me and I am feeling satisfied with the painting, I will then sign it.
Finding
your Style
Find
a subject and combine your observation skills with your imagination.
Your job as an artist is to strike a balance between interaction with
the world around you and your vision. This is why when 10 people sit
down to paint the same subject,, you will have 10 different versions
of it.
If
you find yourself in a rut. Read an art book or with today’s
technology go on You Tube, try a new technique, do something fun.
Pour on some paint and see what it does, do some sketching, just let
your imagination be your guide. Try something totally new, it might
not work, but what if it does. Find that inner child the one who
wasn't afraid to paint or draw things the way they saw it.
Every
painting does not have to be a masterpiece, as long as it is fun
while you are doing it.
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