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December 15, 2005
Go blindly among the brambles.
It’s a difficult path, the ground falling away sharply on one side, rocky underfoot, with brambles tearing at your bare skin. It hurts, it isn’t comfortable. But if it’s comfort you want stay in bed. Push on.
It’s important to maintain a sense of purpose throughout a painting. Don’t get lost along the way, in the tangle of colours. It’s all too easy to get distracted and lose sight of the original idea.
WHAT AM I DOING THIS FOR?
WHAT DO I WANT TO ACHIEVE?
WHAT DO I WANT TO EXPRESS?
The piece must remain challenging, flexible and fluid. Don’t flatten it, don’t steamroller it with technique. Yes, get to know your medium, learn your skills well, then forget about them and respond to the feelings.
I have to keep saying this to myself, over and over, because nine times out of ten I fail miserably and get caught up in the brambles.
Posted by john at December 15, 2005 11:41 AM