If there is dry paint left on your palette from a previous painting session, add a touch of water to it. Then get a piece of paper, this could be any type of paper, and put it near your palette. If you don't have any left over paint then squeeze out three or four colours on your palette.
Find some fast music on a radio, iPod, or CD player. Then with your normal hand paint quickly to the music using the paint on your palette. Paint standing up if you are comfortable doing so. Paint nothing in particular, just colour over colour. Use your other hand as well.
This exercise has the same effect on your mind as physical exercise has on the body. It releases nervousness that might be present at the beginning of a painting session. Once that’s out of the system it’s easier to concentrate on the day’s work.
Painting your Dreams
Keep a journal or sketch
book handy beside your bed.
Write about your dream immediately upon waking. If you
have an especially vivid dream
make a drawing. Paint your
dream soon.
Once upon a tine I was doing this exercise extensively. The more I concentrated on writing about my dreams, the more dreams I remembered. I did a series of paintings based on dreams and found them to be the most satisfying pieces of work I had completed in some while.
My dream about a farmer and his son chasing a cow and her baby, was the basis for the watercolour and acrylic painting below. The background was done by pouring red, yellow and blue watercolour on a large sheet of dampened watercolour paper. Plastic wrap was then placed on top of the watercolour paint and patted down. When the paint was dry, the plastic wrap was removed. I used used acrylics to paint the other objects on the paper.
Walking
Some artists have replaced their sketchbooks with smart phones on which they record their inspirations. Or if they have a drawing app on their phone they make sketches as well.
Once upon a tine I was doing this exercise extensively. The more I concentrated on writing about my dreams, the more dreams I remembered. I did a series of paintings based on dreams and found them to be the most satisfying pieces of work I had completed in some while.
My dream about a farmer and his son chasing a cow and her baby, was the basis for the watercolour and acrylic painting below. The background was done by pouring red, yellow and blue watercolour on a large sheet of dampened watercolour paper. Plastic wrap was then placed on top of the watercolour paint and patted down. When the paint was dry, the plastic wrap was removed. I used used acrylics to paint the other objects on the paper.
If you are having trouble with a
painting, or any creative activity, take a walk if you can.When I do this it never fails that a solution for my problem pops into my head. In the past I often forgot many of the ideas by the time I returned home. So I started carrying a small
sketchbook and pen in a waist pack to jot down my thoughts.
Some artists have replaced their sketchbooks with smart phones on which they record their inspirations. Or if they have a drawing app on their phone they make sketches as well.
The Artist's Way
See if you can get your hands on a copy of Julie Cameron's book, The Artist's Way. Although Julie's tips are directed towards writers, the ideas can also be used by visual artists.
If you a suggestion or two for readers, please leave a comment on this subject.
See if you can get your hands on a copy of Julie Cameron's book, The Artist's Way. Although Julie's tips are directed towards writers, the ideas can also be used by visual artists.
If you a suggestion or two for readers, please leave a comment on this subject.
Really thought-full tips Eileen. Thanks.
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