Monday, July 20, 2009
















Revellation - painting loose


When I began watercolour painting a few years ago, I was tortured by the process.
I was haunted by fear of failure. I was anxiety ridden for fear I would unintentionally ruin my work. And the more obcessed I was with failure, the slower and more deliberately I painted.

One of my instructors, plucked a small brush from my hand and told me: "get rid of that damned thing." "Paint with a bigger brush."

Its easier to tell a new painter to paint loose then for the newcomer to do so. And why?

Its a matter of confidence. Beginning painters who are outcomes obcessed - paint with a controlling hand.

I was surprised when I began to hear people tell me, "I love your style.........so loose."
I cannot remember a single day, in which I turned a switch and made the decision to paint loosely.

As I became increasingly confident, my interest was less fixated upon the results and more upon the process of art. The journey became more exciting then arriving at the station.

I use a lot of water when I paint. And, the more water I use, the less control I have.
I see myself as a tour guide, managing the flow. (as if that's entirely possible). The more the water does its own thing, the looser my works become.







4 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Muted scene--still water and beautiful light...
    I like what I see!!!

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  3. I LOVE what you've said -- as well as your work ... After 3 1/2 years of painting daily, I am still struggling mightily with 'looseness' and 'quit-fiddling-with-it-ness' ...but every once in a magical while, it happens, and the painting is loose, light, just as I had hoped ... I suppose it will be that 1,000s of paintings that finally makes the transition ... but I do think I'm getting closer. Your words comfort me and encourage me to stop trying so hard ... and just let it happen ... by keeping at it! Bless you!

    Lin

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  4. Painting looks good, loososity abounds...

    ReplyDelete

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