Here’s why: pretty much every painting technique you need to learn has been done before.Īnd often these are your favourite paintings. Why copying from the masters is your best strategy Instead, focus on one strategy, and get really good at it. And neither do I.Įven if you were painting full-time with an army of assistants (Damien Hirst has over 100 assistants to help him paint his works), you couldn’t do everything. There’s only one problem: you don’t live in an ideal world. Stopping for the occasional gelato to watch the world pass by. In an ideal world, you would live in Italy, studying classical painting techniques whilst absorbing the Renaissance atmosphere. Step Two: Find one painting per month to copy.Īs you’ve probably seen, there are hundreds of techniques for becoming a better painter. Cut back the quantity, and focus on quality.īy itself, this will often double or triple your completion time, which will both boost your confidence and skill as a painter.īut it also does something else: it frees up time to look. Some artists are faster than others, but in general, if you’re spending less than three hours on one of your paintings, you’re probably going too fast. You can create a wide tonal range with ultramarine blue, it has a low series number so doesn’t cost much and will be useful in numerous paintings in the future. The key word is “good.” One well composed, well-thought-out painting is more rewarding than hundreds of hurried ones. Start with one colour and work your way up. I bet you have 100’s of amazing ideas for paintings you’d love to do, if only you had the time. ![]() Often creative people are brilliant starters, but not great finishers. To create one good image with one single colour is far better than 100 incomplete paintings with 10 colours. There’s no specific magic colour, but here’s a suggestion: Start with ultramarine blue & white. Most people have so much on their minds they don’t have time to create a completed painting at the weekend, and it leaves you feeling frustrated.īy cutting back, and giving yourself permission to achieve one small step towards your finished painting, you’ll make it easier for yourself to stay painting. ![]() If you’re strapped for time, there’s nothing wrong with starting slowly, your subconscious might even be grateful. Most of us assume that successful paintings are created in a moment of inspiration, a flurry of creative genius, paint flying, brushes waving.īut they aren’t, most professional artists are much more considered. Your accidents are anything but happy, causing close family members to ask the worst question anyone can ever ask. It’s just when you see artists working, they often look as though the painting comes with ease, a ‘happy accident’ occurs turning their mistake into a perfectly formed cloud. Whoever said you have to complete a painting at every sitting? I’ve been working with artists and students to find a different, more effective approach and I think I’ve found one.Īs it turns out, the answer isn’t doing more. How can you fit your creativity into an already busy life? I’ve been trying to find the answer to this question: ![]() Or is there a strategy you can use that doesn’t require so much time and achieves better results? You want to work on your colour mixing, try a new paint colour, and definitely do some more sketchbook work, but you also have a job, family, friends - responsibilities that are just more important.Īnd so you wonder: should you just keep going, doing the best you can? ![]() You’re already struggling just to find a clear space and get your paints set out and sometimes you can’t even manage that. If you’re trying to paint in your spare time, it can seem impossible. Ever wonder where you’re supposed to find the time to paint?
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