Blog

FEBRUARY, 2021

                                         On Your Mark, Get Set - PAINT!

Many artists have said that some of their best paintings were those that they painted quickly and spent the least amount of time on.  When facing “painter’s block”, or just as a fun exercise, limiting the time you are to spend on a painting can be a great source of motivation.  It becomes an artist’s safari into the unknown that spurs them into new territory.  Such a safari avoids boredom and inspires one into a personal retreat from the usual.  To get into the mode for setting a time limit to a particular painting, here are some ways of going about it.

ON YOUR MARK

1.     Choose a photo, or scene location if painting outside, or just an idea.

2.     Use a view finder to choose the best composition for the subject.

3.     Make a quick, thumbnail value sketch.

4.     Set a time limit - such as 1/2 or 1 hour.

GET SET

1.     Select and lay out the brushes and/or other tools that you will be using.

2.     Choose a limited palette that would best suit the subject.  Two to Three warm colours, two to three cool colours, plus white. 

PAINT!

1.     Use a big brush to paint canvas or paper with a background colour(s) that complement(s) the colours you chose. 

        Allow brush strokes to show.  If using an old painting as a background, turn it upside down or on its side to avoid

        being distracted by what is already there. 

2.     Refer to the value sketch to quickly block in the shapes and values.

3.     Add colour to the shapes.  It is not necessary to use the colours you see in the photo or scene. 

        Almost any colour can be successfully used so long as it corresponds to the same value shown in the sketch.

4.     Ignore the photo or scene.  Instead, decide what the painting needs to correct any composition imbalance. 

        Turning the painting upside down helps in determining what changes might be required. 

5.     Establish a focal area but avoid focusing on detail.

Lagoon Photo                                          Background and Sketch - 24" x 20"

Blocked in Tones                                         Finished Painting - LAGOON LEANERS