DON'T GET AHEAD OF YOURSELF
I am going to include some rose drawings in at least one of my new pieces. See photo below. So… I have been doing some studies in preparation. I used to draw roses a long time ago, and it feels good to be drawing them again. © 2021 David Limrite
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
Vincent van Gogh
Don’t Get Ahead Of Yourself
When I am working on a painting, one of the most difficult things for me is to not get ahead of myself. Especially if I’m excited about the painting and I’m liking where it’s headed.
When I’m working on a painting, and I’m in the flow, I usually have several things that I know I want to do to the painting. I’m excited and I just want to do everything right now. And get them done so I can see what the painting will look like after I do all the things I want to do.
However, when I am in this state of exuberance, what often happens is that I just end up doing one thing after another in rapid succession, so I can check them off my to-do list. When I work this way, I’m not really paying attention to what is happening on the surface of my painting. And, more often than not, this leads to overworking.
I have to remind myself to slow down and really look to see what is happening to the entire painting as I work on it.
Very often, any one single thing I do to the painting is the one and only thing the painting needed, at the time, to make it work and propel it forward. The painting may not need, (or want), the rest of the things on my to-do list. If I’m not paying attention to how the painting is progressing, as I work on it, I may execute everything on my to-do list before even looking up to see what is happening on the surface. And, before I know it, the painting becomes overworked.
Slowing down, really looking, and watching what is happening to the painting with each thing I do to it, allows me to be on the lookout for the one thing that may have just completed the painting.
It's all about getting into a rhythm with the painting and its creation.
For me, I make one or two brushstrokes and then stop and take a look. Those one or two brush strokes may be all that the painting needed. If the painting still needs more, I make one or two more brushstrokes and stop and take another look. And so on and so on.
I am so much more in control of my painting by working this way. It’s fun to be able to see the painting develop as I work on it.
Try slowing down and paying more attention by not getting ahead of yourself. See if it makes a difference.
Best,
David
P.S. TWO THINGS:
1. The Summer Art Barn Workshops in Central California are coming. Take the poll by Sunday and get priority to enroll.
2. I can't wait to introduce you to the artists of The Create Anyway Collective and the work they've been creating over the past 3 months at our upcoming Online Reception on June 5th. Register now or learn more.
