Is Art Really just Patterns and Lines? - Painting and Drawing Tips

When you get up in the morning, Do you have coffee and sit? Eat breakfast? Go for a run? Pack a breakfast and head to work?

Rocky Road in the Creek Bed - 12 x 16 vanished on board - $650

Everyone has little routines:  Routines for meals; Routines for work; Routines for play.  They shape your day and they shape your life. 

I am a 'get up and eat person'.  I wake up with a bang and get busy with things.  My husband is the opposite.  He is a morning sitter.  Likes to relax, drink his coffee, then slowly get into breakfast mode.  I am long gone from the kitchen by then.  

Art making has its own routines.  How we plan, how we start, how we proceed.  

My latest picture "Rocky Road in the Creek Bed" is about routines and patterns.  The routines and patterns of my work.  

Reference Photo for Rocky Road in the Creek Bed 

The subject matter comes out of my walks and the pictures I take.  I love the mossy rocks nestled within a creek bed.  They would have so many stories to tell, if they could talk. 

This little creek is slow and quiet now on this summer day.  But in the fall the water will be raging by and there will be spawning salmon resting in every little hollow and backwater.  The creek is surrounded by large big old cottonwood trees, ready to fall with the next big storm.  Large cedars and firs amongst them, reaching for the sky, ready to take over the space.  Many of the firs and cedars are already over a hundred years old.  A magically place for me.  

Do you have a special routines that start you on your creative path?

As I work, I identify patterns to create: the flow of the rocks, the drape of the ferns in the background, the leaves on the little shrubs.  These are patterns I want.  I try to instill them into my painting to keep that sense of realism.  

But sometimes I create patterns I don't want. . . .

Rocky Road in the Creek Bed WIP - note the fast moving water 😟

It happened this time without my noticing.  I was working on the reflection in the water.  I wanted to be sure I had lots of colour.  I wanted those colours to be pure and to shine. I decided to use a medium wet brush and not let the colours mingle.  More of a brush stroke than a merged wash.  I had fun. I dropped different colours everywhere.  My eyes were dazzled. I was feeling really good.   You know the feeling.  

Then I stood back.

My quiet sunny spot in the creek bed had bumpy, flowing water.  What happened?  In creating my water reflections and patterns I hadn't noticed I was also creating a bigger pattern.  It was not what I wanted. 

I started to panic. 

Have you ever had those moments, when you are working on a piece?  I quickly dropped my brush and stepped back.  Time to think.  Patterns can be created and Patterns can be changed.  I picked up my pen and started working in the right corner.  Drawing in the water lines seem to settle down my rippling water.

I could see my way. . .. 

More lines were drawn and my water settled.  A new pattern had been created. 

 

Rocky Road in the Creek Bed WIP - note the changes to the water to make ii slow moving😀

As I studied my piece, I thought about patterns and lines.  There were patterns and lines everywhere.  Not just the obvious ones of rock formation and ferns but more subtle ones created by the flow of the colours, the sweeping lines of ink, and the hard and soft edges of shadows.  Do you see and feel them in your work as well?  

As an artist, you need to create patterns but at the same time be on guard.  Each small pattern joins together to create the big pattern which is your finished piece.  Just like each of your little daily routines join to form the routine of your day.  Keeping an eye on the big picture is just as important as each little part.  

Further reading: 

How to Paint the Background - Creating patterns in the background that support the foreground. 

Wendy is on Youtube:
Wendy has FREE Tips & Techniques on Video now, many with supporting blog posts and FREE download PDF's.  

See a full linked listing here - artbywendy.com - workshop - Videos by Wendy

OUTDOOR SKETCHING SEASON  is HERE!!

Next Sessions:  Wednesday, June 23 & Saturday, June 26 

10am - 12:30pm 

Great Weather forecast next week!!

Upcoming Dates: Wednesday  June 30 & July 14
Saturday, July 17

Twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, I will take small groups out for Outdoor Sketching.  Get Tips and Techniques for Sketching in Nature.  Beginners to Advanced Welcome. Max. 3 per class. (Other times available upon request) 

Mediums supported: pencil, pen, watercolour, watercolour pencils and coloured pencils 

Location: Parks in North Surrey and Langley

Cost: $50 per session

Supplies: Bring your own supplies, don't hesitate to contact me about your supplies

Rainy Days: Not fun to plein air in the rain.  You can defer to another available day or join me in my studio and work with me. (when Covid rules allow small inside gatherings) 

Contact Wendy to Book Your Spot!! 

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 based on your goals.  I am a sounding board, coach and teacher,  with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to Zooming with you.  

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

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Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy