Once I began to paint I dreamed of the time when I would be happy with my work and it would look like I wanted it to look. But more than dreaming would be required.
"Develop an infallible technique and then you can throw yourself at the mercy of inspiration."
I mentioned this theme in my last article but just how do you develop an 'infallible' technique? The simple answer of course is that you never can - especially with watercolour, as there will always be the element of uncertainty caused when you put wet paint onto paper - but you can try.
I used to experiment with different techniques that I learned from other artists. I used to ask myself what would happen if I did this or mixed that...then go and try it.
I had to discipline myself to accept that not everything I attempted would turn out right or be a finished painting. This was harder than I imagined especially as someone belonging to a generation brought up to admire thrift and not be wasteful, but it was a great exercise. Gradually I learned how to create the effects I wanted in a specific situation and eventually I was able to concentrate solely on what had inspired me in the first place.
It was a bit like learning to drive. At first you have to concentrate on pressing the right pedal, changing into the right gear etc, etc but gradually after a lot of practice, this becomes automatic and you can concentrate on where you are going!
When I finally did learn to relax I began to have fun and this was reflected in my paintings.
"Develop an infallible technique and then you can throw yourself at the mercy of inspiration."
I mentioned this theme in my last article but just how do you develop an 'infallible' technique? The simple answer of course is that you never can - especially with watercolour, as there will always be the element of uncertainty caused when you put wet paint onto paper - but you can try.
I used to experiment with different techniques that I learned from other artists. I used to ask myself what would happen if I did this or mixed that...then go and try it.
I had to discipline myself to accept that not everything I attempted would turn out right or be a finished painting. This was harder than I imagined especially as someone belonging to a generation brought up to admire thrift and not be wasteful, but it was a great exercise. Gradually I learned how to create the effects I wanted in a specific situation and eventually I was able to concentrate solely on what had inspired me in the first place.
It was a bit like learning to drive. At first you have to concentrate on pressing the right pedal, changing into the right gear etc, etc but gradually after a lot of practice, this becomes automatic and you can concentrate on where you are going!
When I finally did learn to relax I began to have fun and this was reflected in my paintings.
This was an early stage of the finished painting above. It had started as just a simple exercise in adding drops of different blues onto wet paper and watching the shapes evolve. This is the classic 'wet on wet' technique. By adding different densities and warmer tones of paint depth and distance were created. I also added some salt for extra texturing before painting in some tree trunks and branches after the paper was completely dry. With just a few extra details added these random shapes of colour were transformed into a tranquil woodland scene.
I still spend lots of time 'dreaming' or 'thinking ' about my paintings. Most of the work is done before I even start painting and you don't need a studio for this - it can be done anywhere - so by the time I am ready to put paint to paper I have already worked out I will proceed with most of the painting.
So if you ever come across me staring vacantly into space..."please don't wake me, please don't shake me..after all I'm only dreaming" about my next painting!
So if you ever come across me staring vacantly into space..."please don't wake me, please don't shake me..after all I'm only dreaming" about my next painting!
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