5 Ways to BUILD ART SKILLS while HIBERNATING this Winter - Painting & Drawing Tips

The DARK COLD RAINY DAYS are HERE!! Winter is nearly upon us.

Ok, I'm sorry, I know the rest of Canada is already well into Winter.  Here on the west coast we haven't really started winter yet.  Certainly no snow. And temperatures are usually in the 6-9 degrees area.  But we do have many dark, dismal rainy days.  

IN THE QUIET OF THE DAY - Acrylic & Watercolour 16 x 20 Matted $650

Do you like to Hibernate in winter? . . .

I do.  Of course not in the true sense, I don't sleep all the time but I do tend to cocoon more in the house and of course my studio.  Max and I still bundle up and head out for walks and often a steaming hot chocolate greets me on our return.  

This is a time when my Creative Juices really flow. . . .

I don't worry about building up stock by creating tons of masterpieces.  It is my time to try new things, let my imagination flow.  For the next 6 weeks, that is my focus. 

5 Ways to Build Skills while hibernating in your Studio

1. Try a new Technique

As you know I am a realist and I do not work in acrylic or oil.  Corrections.  I tried monotypes using acrylics and loved it.  It was one of my 'new things' this year.  I loved the mixture of the abstract with my realism.  It was fun to make backgrounds with interesting shapes and colours and then impose my ideas on them.  Below, my project "Ducks on the Water" really took me to new places in so many ways. To learn more see my video with the complete project and take a look at my post "Have You Tried Monotypes?"and video Getting Started with Monotypes.  A piece of glass and a few acrylic paints and you are good to go.  (See above,  In the Quiet of the Day for another example of this type of work) 

Panel from "Ducks on the Water" note the random colour is all created by the monotype process

2. Make a Video

I know the whole world is going crazy with videos so nothing new there you say.  But what about making a video Artist Statement.  I have made two Artist Statement videos and have found them really useful for introducing myself and my work in new ways.  This type of video work involves taking clips, editing, dubbing in sound and . . . .  Lots more than just click camera and shoot.  iMovie's comes with my iPad and has lots of editing features that can really add splash and glitz to your video.  

Yes, it was a learning curve but Mr Google has lots of tutourials to help out with the tech stuff.  Have a look at my post "How to Write an Artist Statement - What the Heck are you Doing?"   and see below my videos for ideas on what kinds of content to include.   

Staging a Virtual Art Show - includes a 3 minute video, an Introductory Artist Statement
5 Keys for Creating a Virtual Art Talk - includes a 12 minute video, an expanded Artist Statement

Having live action clips of you working on a project, provides interest to your viewers

3.  Build Your Drawing Skills

Building skills is always at the back of my mind.  Looking for ways to inspire me to 'just practice' can sometimes be tough.  Here is one activity I find motivating. The focus is on one subject, filling the page with the image challenges you in many ways: composition, rendering, shading and more.  The 'What if I try this?' questions start happening.  When that happens I am usually humming and well into my work.  I love those moments.  Even when I walk with Max, I am busy thinking of new things to try and anxious to get back to work. 

To start you on your Repetition (practice)  Journey see my Post "Can Repetition REALLY be FUN?!" .  I have created a  FREE Downloadable Repetition is Fun Sheet PDF  with tulips to inspire you and a  video   Repetition Can be Fun with more ideas.  

TULIPS IN THE SUNSHINE - Sketchbook Practice - Doesn't this picture make you feel good and want to do more?

4. Retrain Your Inner Critic 

Have you noticed that your Inner Critic never takes a holiday?  He is always there, nattering at you whether you want it or not.  Takes some time in your practice to really work with this guy.  He is full of knowledge but has appalling Social and Language Skills. 

Check out my post "Turn Your Inner Critic into Your BFF" for new ways to communicate with him. It includes a video "How to turn your Inner Critic into Your  BFF" as well as more examples.  

 And my post "Have you ever got Trapped in the Web of PERFECTION?"  has a sketchbook activity that will stretch you and your Inner Critic.  It will help you 'get him into line'.  There is also  video support to further your discussion "Moving Away from Perfection" 

SUNFLOWERS GLOWING IN THE SUNLIGHT - Sketchbook Practice 

5. Finish up those Troublesome Projects 

 

There is always projects hiding on the shelf.  You know the ones.  They started with great ideas.  Paint was flying, your heart was singing.  Then suddenly fell flat.  You want to finish them but. You're Stuck.  I know what it is like.  Sometimes I leave them for a bit, take Max for a walk or pull out an art book.  And sometimes this works.  

But what you really need is Someone to talk too.  Someone to bounce ideas with. Someone with fresh eyes. An Art Coach/Mentor.   See my post "Have you every worked with a Visual Arts Mentor/Coach?" for a better idea of what this could look like.  This is that knowledgeable person you are looking for to give you the kind of feedback you need to grow.  This is not a critique, it is a discussion.  There will be examples, demonstrations of techniques, and more. 

 

Online Mentoring Session with Wendy Mould - Flexible schedule,  $75 for 3 sessions 30 minutes each.  

This is my last post for the year, I look forward to starting up once again January 7th. I have a great idea for your Hibernation - Building Skills with a Treasure Hunt! I look forward to sharing it with you.  

Have a Safe, Quiet Christmas and all the best for the coming New Year!!

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy  

Can Repetition REALLY be FUN?! Painting & Drawing Tips

You love to paint but your drawing Sucks. 

Not much fun painting something that really doesn't look right.  Despite what they say, colour doesn't hide mistakes. 

TULIPS IN THE SUNSHINE - Sketchbook Practice

Improving your drawing skills requires only 1 thing, PRACTISE.  No surprise there, we all knew that.  But how to make that practice interesting and exciting is the challenge.  

I know where you're coming from.  I am a self taught artist and learning to draw well was a huge learning curve for me.  Pushing myself to practice was something I had to learn to do. 

Things I do to make Drawing Practice more fun.  

1.  Have a special spot with supplies handy.  I have a drawing table now but early on my drawing place was the kitchen table or the couch.  I had my portable kit packed and handy so there was little set up time.  I started with a small basic kit: sketchbook, erasers, set of pencils and a few pens. As I worked I added more things.

 

2.  Have reference material handy.  I always had a collection of 8 or 10 pictures I was interested in drawing.  These are usually in a special Album on my ipad but sometimes I print them out as well.  Depends on what you like to work with.  Using the special Album in your Photos means you can find your picture quickly, no scrolling. 

Tulips in the Garden - I love it when the Tulips start to grow, they are the first big splashes of colour in the garden.  

3.  Be easy on yourself.  Tell your Inner Critic to take a break and just draw.  See post: Turn your Inner Critic into you BFF

4.  Challenge yourself.  I make mini-challenges for myself.  When I judge my drawing it is based only on my challenge. I try not to be critical of anything else.  

 

To me these Tulips are friendly and happy - makes me feel good to work with them.  

A Challenge that can turn Repetition into Fun

Take a picture of a subject that is not too complex.  For this example I used a picture of my tulips from our garden last spring.  Fill you page with tulips.  To provide variety I reversed the picture and drew the same tulip.  

Reversing the image gives variety to your practice

Why draw the same thing?

a.  Your drawing improves as you become more familiar with the subject

b.  Easier to focus on things like colour, values and mediums if you are comfortable with drawing the subject

Sketchbooking - TULIPS IN INK - Trying different mediums brings new ideas in focal points and composition. 

c.  Composition Skills are tested as you try different placements of your subject.  

d.  Inspirational thoughts will begin to bloom. "What if I make them . . ."

A Free bonus offer, I have prepared a Free Download of my Tulip Pictures to help you get started on your practice. ( I know you will have trouble getting tulip pictures at this time of year.) When picking pictures, you need pictures of your subject that show a few different views. They need lighting that shows shadow patterns. And enough information that allows you to build a few different kinds of compositions  (It is important that you inspire yourself with good references when working on a challenge.)  

For lots more ideas and inspiration check out my video: Repetition Can be FUN!! 

Take the Challenge and Enjoy your practice - You will be amazed how quickly you get caught up 'In the Moment' and your drawing becomes FUN. 

See you next week.  

Get Free Download of my Tulip Pictures HERE.

Christmas Shopping Online with FREE Shipping in Canada!!

HOLIDAY SPECIAL - 15% on all sales

FREE SHIPPING IN CANADA TIL DEC 15

Lots of One-of-a-Kind items, original art, art prints, art cards, jewelry, pottery, painted scarves, and more. Anything that inspires an artist to create.  
Get your Christmas Shopping Done and Shipped Free 

Art by Wendy Original Work, Art Cards & Prints, Memo Pads and Doodle Cards will be available   

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

  Online Coaching/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75)

Are You and Your Inner Critic looking to expand your discussions.  Here's how it works: Send me a few pictures of your paintings.  I will prepare material to facilitate a discussion.  We meet on Zoom for our sessions and discuss your work. I am a sounding board and coach with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to working with you.  

  
Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy  

Using SHAPE to change things up - Painting & Drawing Tips

Are you feeling that your work has lost its freshness? Your SPARK is just not flashing.  

Nurse Stump WIP (Going to be a new piece in my Deep in the Forest Series) - Different shapes require different focal point placement

Max and I walk in our neighbourhood twice a day. We both love to walk and I for sure love to get out.  

Even those dark and stormy days are great.  Everything is different with the wind blowing and rain pounding down.  Max is not so big on the rain part.  In fact on those days he walks very close to me (like a really well trained dog, don't I wish).  He wants me to be the wind and rain break.  

Walking the same route may seem boring . . . . . but its not.  

I like to change things up a bit.  Change the direction. Change the route.  Change the time.  Little things. But they do change my perspective. Make things different. 

The same principle works with your art. . . .

I know you have your favourite subjects/techniques/habits.  They are comfortable.  They support you as you work. But sometimes they can also steal your SPARK.  

Excerpt from RABBITS IN THE GARDEN - changing the shape means different elements in the fill areas. 

Try a different shape for your finished work. . .

This can be as challenging as you want.  If you always work in a landscape format, try portrait.  If you always work in certain sizes, try one bigger. or smaller.  Always do a rectangle, try a square.  Stretch the shape.  Long and skinny or tall and stretched.  Using canvas, paper or sketchbook.  Change it up. 

Why is this good for your artistic soul?

1.  Changing it up pushes you to new places.  Suddenly you need more information to fill your space.  Your subjects/techniques/habits aren't changing.  They will support you as you move ahead.

Gowlland Point, Pender Island, BC - Using both pages in your sketchbook creates a new shape for sketching.  

2. Changing it up creates new compositions.  The shape of your work determines your focal point placement.  New shapes makes you create new paths for the eye to follow in your work.    

3.  Changing it up makes you see different things.  If you walk a path in one direction then turn and walk back.  You will see new things.  Your perspective is different.  Painting your usual subjects in a different format, means your images will be cropped and supported differently.  Ways that you haven't tried before.  

Mouat Bay, Texada, BC.  Changing up your sketchbook with cutouts brings surprises into the mix

4.  Changing it up bring surprises.  These are the SPARKS that can get your creative juices flowing.  You will find yourself asking the 'what if. . .' questions.  What if I try . . .?

Go ahead, make a few changes.  My big change right now is my long narrow drawing "Nurse Stump" at the top of the post. At 9 x 17 inches it is quite different from my usual landscape work.   It did require me to think about the kind of foliage I was going to add and where to put it.  My ink work is done, really excited to add the watercolour!!  

Have fun and see you next week.  

Christmas Shopping Online with FREE Shipping in Canada!!

HOLIDAY SPECIAL - 15% on all sales

FREE SHIPPING IN CANADA TIL DEC 15

Lots of One-of-a-Kind items, original art, art prints, art cards, jewelry, pottery, painted scarves, and more. Anything that inspires an artist to create.  
Get your Christmas Shopping Done and Shipped Free 

Art by Wendy Original Work, Art Cards & Prints, Memo Pads and Doodle Cards will be available   

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

  Online Coaching/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75)

Are You and Your Inner Critic looking to expand your discussions.  Here's how it works: Send me a few pictures of your paintings.  I will prepare material to facilitate a discussion.  We meet on Zoom for our sessions and discuss your work. I am a sounding board and coach with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to working with you.  

  
Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

Be sure to like and share my posts.  You won't miss a single post if you Follow by Email 

Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy