I like Plein air painting when something has my interest or it's related to my studio work. I am getting ready to take a refresher course with the sun.......I have to do that every once in a while to keep it fresh. "Sunshine" (RV) will undoubtedly play an important roll this time around. Maybe armed with a GoPro drone:=)
COACHES MESSAGE TO THE TEAM
In truth, its fun to paint and to paint with others. We learn from each other. Encourage each other throughout the day as we navigate over a blank canvas or perhaps a problem canvas started earlier in the studio. The latter often being the most challenging for any artist. Another set of eyes can be a valuable tool for any artist to have in their tool box.... and, the focus of this post.
I found coaching is more about problem solving than it is about the ABC's of painting. The basic stuff most of us learn on our own or other means. When we are trying to raise the bar it is a continuous and perhaps even a contentious process if we are serious about making art. Perhaps, more important if we are working artists or want to be. Because of this, we continually strive to improve our art. Our tool box may need things beyond the usual material stuff found there. Sometimes we need a second set of eyes to help it along. Someone able to offer a few words or a simple demonstration to jump start the process. Although, beyond words of encouragement, I found as a coach, words are less effective. I found the visual move or two with a brush is worth a 1000 words. So, another set of eyes able to do those things when needed is a valuable tool.
A SIMPLE ROAD MAP
SPEEDS UP THE LEARNING PROCESS
Any team member can start a new canvas, but if they have a problem or stalled canvas started in the studio with an unsatisfactory outcome, it would be better to resolve it, understand why it failed before starting another. If you don't recognize the problem, you can not solve it.
Simple rule, if you know whats wrong, move on, improve it with the next and repeat the process until it is no longer an issue. But solve the issue first! Don't worry, you will have plenty of issues to solve along the way, so find a way to solve them efficiently, then move on to the next one.
Swimming-in-Paint is learning how to construct a strong painting with good punctuation... how to frame it and how to present it to the public.......our potential collectors.... Something that should really be avoided until you have a canvas that reads well at 30 feet and is touchable closeup. The touchable part is a moving target and takes some time. Time we will spend the rest of our time mastering.
We naturally go through learning curves. In this case "learning paintings", work that often leads to a final conclusion..... canvases worthy of wall space like the canvases above and below. This can be a few canvases to dozens before the process starts again. Those are the important works that will most likely find a future hanging around on good walls......
Not much question this sweet moment caught by artist Susan Paavola will have a fine wall to show off on!
The learning canvases; well my guess is some end up in the attic space or trash bin. Be happy with the outcome at whatever level you are at. Kids are good at that, adults not so much. A painting I love today will fade with the next one........ I only hope today's work is better than last years. If its not, I'm on a learning curve to raise the bar......count on it!
This post reminded me of a particular painting I got so annoyed with I placed a big RED sloppy grumpy "X" across the surface..... I came to my senses the next morning and removed it, scraped the area that caused a fuse to "blow" and fixed it! There was an old post about that particular temper tantrum. (link below).
(A few posts down shows the stage photos)
Venetian Melody 30x30 oil on linen (12-10-12)
TODAY
1163 Interlude 20x20 oil on linen (7/28/17)
Tracking and reviewing your work history via digital files will clearly show learning and mastering cycles. Use it! It is another valuable tool, like having another set of eyes, your own! Do side-by-side comparisons to other artists you admire, see your successes and recognize your weaknesses and work to improve them.
"Think big and accomplish big goals. The risks are great but so is the reward! There are no free rides"
No comments:
Post a Comment