I think for me as an artist discouragement and persistence go hand in hand. Often my mind's eye sees the painting I would like to paint, while my physical eyes reveal the painting that I actually produced. They hardly ever match and discouragement follows.
That's where persistence must come in. People who fall off horses have quaint sayings that tell them to
"get back in the saddle" and sports failures are told to "get back in the game". But what words of wisdom do we artists have when things go wrong? "Wipe it off and start over?" ... Not very encouraging. nor very creative.
I am convinced that words of wisdom don't really work with artists anyway. ( even though we love to hang slogans and quotes on our easels). What we really need is tough art love. What we need and what we do best with is being told the cold hard truth..... "Painting is hard and at some point every artist will want to quit." Don't you feel better?
I think someone needs to tell all wanna-be artists - what comes with the territory. A warning label should be required in every first paint set and they should sell persistence pills at every art supply store.
Painting is hard.... but that fact takes nothing away from the enjoyment of doing it. Quite the opposite.
So, for all those discouraged wanna be artist's ... keep the paint on your brush... step up to the easel....keep your eye on the horizon line and relax and enjoy pushing some paint.
Back in the North woods and a little progress. I am trying something different with this painting. Painting the entire foreground in shadow. So as I am working on the background, I am trying to make sure the darkest values of the background stay lighter than the lightest values in the foreground shadows. It's not an easy thing to remember.
I'll need to adjust all the light areas in the foreground as I proceed with the water. Slow going but I'll stick with it.
Oh, I came up with a slogan for the easel. The effort is always worth more than the results.
Daily Painting Practice
I believe art is to be shared. I have gained so much from others sharing their art experiences and knowledge, I thought this blog would be a great way for me to give something back. Please be reminded that the photo colors may slightly vary due to a digital camera's results and depending on your monitor. I do retain the reproduction rights to this artwork.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Daily Painting Practice- Going green - recycling old paintings.
I was never really keen on this painting. It felt so blah, to me. So instead of letting it sit around the studio I decided to go green and recycle it. There is a danger in this approach however ... hint- always ask if your inventory manager/wife feels the same way before applying any paint. .
I wasn't sure what I was going to do.And since I now spend a lot of time in cubicleville (see my last post), I thought something that could transport me into the woods might be nice. You win the prize if you can guess what I am trying topaint at this point.
Here are some thumbnails I did to try and get a feel for the composition. You probably still can't tell what it is I'm going for can you?. ...That might not be a good sign.... but the truth is, these little sketches really help firm up ideas. I now have a picture in my head and a general feeling for the scene. That 's important. I have to want to spend time in the painting. Would you paint someplace you didn't want to be?
Now I started drawing with charcoal directly on the canvas.
This is a very rough beginning. I am just scrubbing a lot of paint around, mapping out lights and darks. I like the fact that I am spending more time imagining the place than I am worrying about details.
It will be interesting to see if any of the original painting underneath remains when I am finished. The plants in the foreground maybe?
I wasn't sure what I was going to do.And since I now spend a lot of time in cubicleville (see my last post), I thought something that could transport me into the woods might be nice. You win the prize if you can guess what I am trying topaint at this point.
Here are some thumbnails I did to try and get a feel for the composition. You probably still can't tell what it is I'm going for can you?. ...That might not be a good sign.... but the truth is, these little sketches really help firm up ideas. I now have a picture in my head and a general feeling for the scene. That 's important. I have to want to spend time in the painting. Would you paint someplace you didn't want to be?
Now I started drawing with charcoal directly on the canvas.
This is a very rough beginning. I am just scrubbing a lot of paint around, mapping out lights and darks. I like the fact that I am spending more time imagining the place than I am worrying about details.
It will be interesting to see if any of the original painting underneath remains when I am finished. The plants in the foreground maybe?
Labels:
landscapes,
progress shots
| Reactions: |
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Daily Painting Practice- What was What is and What maybe
I like reading and watching good mysteries. It's one of my pleasures away from art. Old English black and white movies are a weakness. I especially like ones where I can't figure out the ending. I love it when the plot leads me through the story line with twists and turns and surprising developments.
Well life itself is the greatest mystery. And mine has had its share of twists and turns. The changes in my plot line are getting interesting. I find the best way to handle these changes is to enjoy them in the same manner I do movies and books. Keep going turn the page. Something thrilling might happen!
To paraphrase Sherlock Holmes, The thrill is in the chase.
I have recently joined the ranks of the part time artist. Yes, full time employment after so many years in front of the easel is quite a twist in the plot.
So pictures and views like this ...
get changed to views like this..
Fear not though. It's not like the main character of this story is going to change from the fun loving, tea drinking, blog writing and some what humorous artist into an accountant.... that would be boring.
but the artistic adventures in an engineering office..... now that is a page turner!
Stay tuned for the next chapter of Daily Painting Practice - The mystery of the office sketchbook.
Well life itself is the greatest mystery. And mine has had its share of twists and turns. The changes in my plot line are getting interesting. I find the best way to handle these changes is to enjoy them in the same manner I do movies and books. Keep going turn the page. Something thrilling might happen!
To paraphrase Sherlock Holmes, The thrill is in the chase.
I have recently joined the ranks of the part time artist. Yes, full time employment after so many years in front of the easel is quite a twist in the plot.
So pictures and views like this ...
get changed to views like this..
Fear not though. It's not like the main character of this story is going to change from the fun loving, tea drinking, blog writing and some what humorous artist into an accountant.... that would be boring.
but the artistic adventures in an engineering office..... now that is a page turner!
Stay tuned for the next chapter of Daily Painting Practice - The mystery of the office sketchbook.
| Reactions: |
Monday, October 31, 2011
Daily Painting Practice- Halloween treats for those who need to step back from the easel
All artists get stuck in a rut every now and then, or they may shut down creatively and find themselves unable to start the old painting engine. If this happens to you, even a good cup of tea may not be the cure.Sometimes it helps to step back from the easel if you need to get the creative juices flowing again. There is no better way to do this than to search out other creative people. It is even better when those other creative people do something you would never dream of doing.
I thought I would share some creative Halloween treats from various artists I found on the web.
I saw Ray Villafanes's work on Youtube. This guy is the best pumpkin carver around. Check it out.
Next is a unique way Antonio Jorge Goncalves uses a moleskin skin sketchbook.
Artists and food always go together here is a fun video that takes it to another level. Carved Watermelon Art
The last one is an amazing creative commercial.
I hope that helped any of you that needed a break. Now get back to work.
I thought I would share some creative Halloween treats from various artists I found on the web.
I saw Ray Villafanes's work on Youtube. This guy is the best pumpkin carver around. Check it out.
Next is a unique way Antonio Jorge Goncalves uses a moleskin skin sketchbook.
Artists and food always go together here is a fun video that takes it to another level. Carved Watermelon Art
The last one is an amazing creative commercial.
I hope that helped any of you that needed a break. Now get back to work.
| Reactions: |
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Daily Painting Practice- Texture can be rough... or smooth... But it's always hard
Glass is a funny thing to paint. Not funny in the ha ha sense. Funny in the way it tricks the eye of the viewer. At least my eyes get fooled. The light and color can be intensified in some areas of the glass and completely unchanged from the background in other areas. There are reflections and distortions to deal with. And of course highlights.
I take it back. Painting glass isn't funny at all.
One good thing you get from attempting to paint glass. You really have to decide on your background early in the process.. And for those of you that have read this blog through the years, you know how I struggle ( procrastinate really) with backgrounds. The photo above shows my progress in tinkering with the background. I'm playing with shadows and thinking about a splash of sunlight. All I have settled is the direction of the light and the tone of the background will be light not dark.
I transfered my drawing back over what I had painted. to see some of the detail. I'm having trouble deciding if the composition as it stands now will hold my attention long term. The detail won't do it by itself. I think it needs more.
There we go. Some texture! The surface of the background needed to contrast with the surface of the glass. My studio doesn't have white bricks so my reference for the brick background is a house a few blocks from my studio. Now that I have the idea sketched out and the basic colors. Let the fun begin!
I take it back. Painting glass isn't funny at all.
One good thing you get from attempting to paint glass. You really have to decide on your background early in the process.. And for those of you that have read this blog through the years, you know how I struggle ( procrastinate really) with backgrounds. The photo above shows my progress in tinkering with the background. I'm playing with shadows and thinking about a splash of sunlight. All I have settled is the direction of the light and the tone of the background will be light not dark.
I transfered my drawing back over what I had painted. to see some of the detail. I'm having trouble deciding if the composition as it stands now will hold my attention long term. The detail won't do it by itself. I think it needs more.
There we go. Some texture! The surface of the background needed to contrast with the surface of the glass. My studio doesn't have white bricks so my reference for the brick background is a house a few blocks from my studio. Now that I have the idea sketched out and the basic colors. Let the fun begin!
Labels:
progress shots,
still life
| Reactions: |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)











