Observation

The longer I paint, the more I find myself observing and soaking up my surroundings.  There is a quiet cafe in my neighborhood that provides me the chance to just observe life as it passes by.  Last week, I took my drawing class there.  They naturally assumed that they would be drawing. While they did some quick gesture sketches, they rarely had a pen/pencil in hand.  We watched, absorbed and generally discussed what we saw.  One exercise I had them do was to stand for 3 minutes and just look.  They assumed that they would have to come back and sketch what they saw. Instead, I simply asked them to describe what they saw in one word. Many came back with trees, lady walking a dog, buildings. They were so focused on things that they missed the feeling of just standing & allowing themselves to observe the overall scene in front of them. Anybody can do a painting or drawing of trees or buildings but if you can invoke a feeling then you will have a more successful piece of art. About 20 minutes later, I had them do it again. This time they were more descriptive. Hustle, streaming light, patterns. Naturally students are concerned about the actual objects or subject matter but to become an artist one must place their on stamp on the scene before them.  Learning to see as an artist is a necessary tool for your toolbox but one often overlooked. So take time this week without a brush, pencil or camera and just observe. It's become one of my best tools.  

Click here to see the first oil sketch of my series "Mornings on Green Street". They are the result of my observations from my favorite cafe.

Art Tip #123

Shake It Up

I'm getting out of my comfort zone this afternoon & teaching a new student how to use pastels.  I've done them in the past but it's been awhile.  While preparing for class, I got that wonderful creative feeling.  You know the one where the juices were flowing & you're itching to dive in. I even pulled out my watercolors.  I think it's good to step out of our comfort zones every once in awhile. 

You don't have to try different mediums to shake things up.  Try something you've never tackled.  Anything from a subject you've never painted, or a new brush, or a different technique. Just do it for yourself.  Don't do it with the idea of having to share it with the world.  Rather approach it as playtime.  Pushing yourself is a good thing.  

Art Tip #107

Favorite Bedtime Reading

The Language of Drawing

by Sherrie McGraw

There are 4 books that are always by my bedside.  This is my favorite even though it's not about oil painting.   The book is more about seeing rather than about actual rendering. Translating the information in front of her, Sherrie is able to capture the lyrical nature of her subject.  Simply looking at her drawings makes me what to capture what she captures, which to say, the essence & beauty of her subject.  While it is not a new book, I believe it deserves a place on any artist's bookshelf.  

Check back to see which are some of my other favorite bedtime art books.