For the last few weeks we've been working in a very ordered way - first completing a black/white sketch, then a color map and finally the completed painting. This is a very structured way of achieving freedom where there are not as many surprises as you paint and you are free to just go for it.
So now, let's talk about starting another way. What if we just start with a white piece of paper and throw some color on it? Then what if we throw on a bit more and add as we go along. Ahh - now our problem solving is being done in a more direct way. And that is what we are doing - solving the problems of value and harmony or disonance - contrasts and movement. What if we have no plan - where will we end up?
This week we're going to be experimenting - a little like the artist Barbara Necchis. She builds her paintings from the paper up.
So what benefits does this style have? Well - first it forces us to keep changing our idea of what we are achieving. We have to continually solve the problem of where we are going. We can turn the paper from side to side and top of bottom to find balance.
Second, it loosens us up. I find that when I continue to work in a very structured way, I become so tight that the work is stilted. Likewise, when i work in a very loose style, I can become looser and looser. Working back and forth helps me stay in the place I prefer to be.
Do I have to do a complete painting in each style to alternate? Certainly not - that's where small exercises come in. And small exercises serve to keep me putting my brush to paper even when I don't have the time to complete something big. I also find that many of these quick exercises become my best work to be reproduced in cards.
So now, let's talk about starting another way. What if we just start with a white piece of paper and throw some color on it? Then what if we throw on a bit more and add as we go along. Ahh - now our problem solving is being done in a more direct way. And that is what we are doing - solving the problems of value and harmony or disonance - contrasts and movement. What if we have no plan - where will we end up?
This week we're going to be experimenting - a little like the artist Barbara Necchis. She builds her paintings from the paper up.
So what benefits does this style have? Well - first it forces us to keep changing our idea of what we are achieving. We have to continually solve the problem of where we are going. We can turn the paper from side to side and top of bottom to find balance.
Second, it loosens us up. I find that when I continue to work in a very structured way, I become so tight that the work is stilted. Likewise, when i work in a very loose style, I can become looser and looser. Working back and forth helps me stay in the place I prefer to be.
Do I have to do a complete painting in each style to alternate? Certainly not - that's where small exercises come in. And small exercises serve to keep me putting my brush to paper even when I don't have the time to complete something big. I also find that many of these quick exercises become my best work to be reproduced in cards.
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