PAINT TO LEARN
“The Shadow Side”, 54”x 24”, Mixed media on canvas © 2017 David Limrite
“You are one of the rare people who can separate your observation from your preconception. You see what is, where most people see what they expect."
John Steinbeck, East Of Eden
Paint To Learn
I briefly mentioned this idea of “Paint To Learn” in last weeks post, however, I wanted to dive into it a bit deeper. “Paint To Learn” is not a new concept for me. I think I have always worked this way and had just never found the words to describe it. You probably work this way, as well, and aren’t even aware of it. Maybe you are, I don’t know.
I think it is important to be aware of the benefits of this approach to creativity. One of the main benefits for me is that, while I am painting, I am always looking for what is working. It is so much easier and familiar to be on the lookout for mistakes and passages that are not working. And, while recognizing things about your work that you don’t like is important too, it just seems like such a negative way to create. Looking for brush strokes, color mixtures and shapes that I like is so much more interesting, fun and positive.
Oh, believe me, I know when something isn’t working, for sure, however, training myself to recognize the good stuff has made my art so much better. And, it has made me a much better artist.
This is what I call “Paint To Learn”.
Painting To Learn is a more mindful way of creating. Paying attention to what is happening on the surface of your canvas leads to learning more about painting and picture making. Which leads to better paintings.
Watch what happens as one color mixes with another. Watch what happens with each brush stroke. What is and is not working? And then, take this new knowledge with you to the next painting. Learn from that next painting and then paint the next one. And so on.
“Paint To Learn” and watch the quality of your work get better and better.
Best,
David
[LIVE DEMONSTRATION]
ACRYLIC: WASHES VS. GLAZES VS. OPAQUE
United Methodist Church | The Wesley Room | 1515 Fredericks Street | San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 **Note corrected street name
Tuesday, September 26, 2017 | 7pm | All are Welcome
Join me as I work with acrylic paint on paper to create an original abstract expressionist figurative painting. The focus will be on using washes, glazes and opaque paint so that they peacefully coexist in the same painting. I will also discuss process, the journey, and trusting your intuition in this live demonstration hosted by the Central Coast Watercolor Society.