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| Triangles |
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| Trees |
I created a few thumbnails of my ideas in my sketchbook then started adding splashes of water and paint onto the small sheets until something interesting formed.
I've rarely done studies or tests before painting. I'm more of a jump in and wing it kind of girl. I'm pleased with what I was able to figure out with these small paintings and it's been handy to have a colour reference right in front of me while I draw or apply layers of wash.
What about you? Do you plan ahead or wing it?
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Exciting: this process looks like it could take you in all sorts of directions!
ReplyDeleteHave you found that by making studies, you have stumbled upon new ideas that otherwise would not have occurred? Now, for me, planning takes place in my head and then finally gets resolved through a finished product (that may or may not look like what I intended as I try to remain flexible while working). However, I think my best work has always happened when I've made a number of studies first. I really admire your willingness and discipline to explore media and materials to maintain your creativity.
I love them! They are both wonderful, but the top one has some really interesting color combinations going on.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to answer: both. Sometimes I wing it, sometimes I plan. Usually it's a mixture of both--I might plan out a basic composition or a starting point, but I don't stick "to the rules" and will let a painting or drawing evolve as I work. Will be very fun to see the larger version you are working on!
These are both so pretty. I always admire what you can do with your watercolor washes of color. What's also nice about doing the studies first is that you have these mini-works to enjoy as well! I tend to mull ideas vaguely in my head for awhile, and then I'll 'go for it' and see what happens. The exceptions are when I work in oils. Then I really work on my composition and try to place things in advance. Perhaps it's because oils take so long already that I don't want to go over my work or take as many risks the way I'm willing to do with other materials.
ReplyDeleteOh! So gorgeous! Especially love the mini forrest one.
ReplyDeleteWhen I have an idea for a new stationery or embroidery item I'm in two minds - I find when I do a trial/test I sometimes run out of steam, lose interest in the idea and then never fully bring it to fruition. However, I also know that when I don't do a trial I tend to make mistakes in the construction (which bit goes where, what order to layer things in, types of glue to use, etc). Normally I sketch out an idea, then walk through each step in my head to make sure there's no issues, and then just have a go!
These are both fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI don't usually do studies. Mainly, I think it's because I'm so anxious to get the idea in my head into the final form I don't care to test much out beforehand. Sometimes this works out, other times it leaves me with a problem due to material or a lack of visual balance that would be easily fixed with an 'undo' or 'copy & paste' if it was a computer design project. In design school I had to create hundreds of thumbnails and that discipline petered out over my career due to shorter and shorter timelines and a heavy workload. Most often, if I take the time to do it, I find the right mix of material and colours but the composition is almost always still done on the fly.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anika. I've noticed that you seem to do quite a lot of sketches and planning in your work. If it isn't directly related to a current project, you seem to reference your old work for inspiration for the next one. I admire that process and would like to do the same.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Kimi! I've never worked with oil paint. I imagine I'd want to jump right in due to the long drying time as well. I find waiting for the watercolour washes to dry between layers so time consuming that I don't usually do more planning than some pencil sketches. My studio time is so limited I feel that my time needs to be spent working on the project at hand instead of tests. Sometimes the happy accidents discovered while doing these tests lead me to new ideas, so I will try to stick to my new discipline.
ReplyDeleteI too have a short attention span with my art & craft. I think that's exactly why I've often dived right in with an idea.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alice!
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