I don’t typically paint from a photo. So how DO I work? Most of the time, my paintings slowly evolve toward the final version. In this video, look over my shoulder and watch as one of my paintings evolves from initial concept sketch to the final version.
Like most people, I did some rapid “pivoting” (otherwise known as “flailing”) during 2020. It’s time for me to get back to the core mission of my teaching: to help you be more successful using watercolor as an artist, that is, to use watercolor to explore your own thoughts, ideas and emotions, record your responses to the world, share your experiences with others, or express something personally meaningful. That means learning to plan your own paintings, but how?
A simple dragonfly postcard, suitable for all experience levels.
The biggest benefit of drawing is that drawing changes how you see. Drawing is a form of active meditation, a mindfulness practice, and a wonderful stress-reliever. That all sounds great. But what if you can’t draw? I have good news: the worse your drawing skills are, the easier today’s “drawing” activities will be for you! Back when I…
Look over my shoulder as I paint the subpaintings to help me decide how I want to paint reflections on calm water.
Tips for planning a manageable painting/postcard and coping with a complex subject when sketching on location.
Often, we mentally place two qualities, choices, or even people, in opposition. Then, we conclude that more of one (or for one) must necessarily come at the expense of the other, without even thinking to ask if the two people/ideas/paths are really opposed. How might your thinking change if you considered whether these two things could be like the warp and weft of a piece of fabric, both valuable and necessary, both contributing to its strength and beauty?
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