Working in my Studio, I sometimes feel my work is a flat.
It is winter now. We had our burst of snowy, crisp, sunny days. But now we are back to Wet, Dreary, Gray Ones.
Bright Sunshine and Colour seem very far away.
It's times like this I feel my work becomes more rigid. I plan, I execute, I finish. I am in total control.
I know, sometimes that feels great but other times . . . . . . it feels restrictive.
I am looking for that balance, of control and yet a looseness that adds sparkle and surprises in my work. I want to be more Intuitive.
What is Intuitive Painting?
What does it mean to work Intuitively?
How can that mesh with my Process?
These are questions I have been focusing on for some time. Here are some of the things I have learned.
What does it mean to paint/work Intuitively?
This is focused on your approach to your work. It is about self discovery, spontaneity, exploring but most of all, having a fearless approach to art.
Wow! That is a hard one for me, I am a bit of a control freak. After all, I am a wildlife artist that enjoys realism.
Intuitive Approach meets Control Freak
3 Ways to ACT more Intuitively
Yip, that's me. Trying to break out of my box but not loose myself in the process.
1. Change up the Colour
This is area I have really been working on for awhile and I feel I have found some success. Working with birds and animals, requires a setting. Nature settings are often a sea of greens or blues, depending on landscape or waterscape settings.
Have you every got lost in the greens of summer?
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| MOSSY TREE - What Can be Greener than a moss covered Tree Stump? |
Becoming more Intuitive in my response to colour has really changed the world for me. My painting of the Mossy Tree was a breakthrough painting for me. I pushed myself to try different colours with my greens. The Sparkle of the reds and oranges in the sunlight and the blues in the shadows was very freeing for me. Now, I find I like to push myself to introduce new colours all the time. Especially when things are starting to feel flat!!
2. Make A Big Shape
It's the big shapes that can catch you. The plans are set. Your layout is complete but things are not right. There is a feeling of incompleteness. (not sure that is a word but it certainly is a feeling. ) This is when disappointment, a sense of fear set in. What if I wreck it?
My Answer: I use my bare hand. . . .
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| Using my hand I can see that a shape at the top left doesn't look as nice as one in the top right. |
I put my hand where the problem is. Move it up. Down. Over. This gives me a feel for where something is needed and how big it must be.
My Dalia was a flower drawing from a flower prompt. This is a flower I seldom draw as the number of petals drives me crazy. My focus was to draw the flower. I did. Actually I was pleased with the results. But then what? Using my hands a shape holders I can see that putting something in the top Right side and lower Left, seems to feel good to me. How does it make you feel?
Once I know the where, I need to decide the What. Realistic or Abstract shape? In the old days it would always be Realistic, now not so much. It can even be a bit of both. I am leaning towards adding part of another flower on the side and a stem and a few leaves at the bottom. But I am also thinking of a frame with the flower extending out or banners down the side or . . . See what I mean. Once you have a direction, your imagination can ignite and flow.
3. Add Small Shapes
This has been a really fun addition to my work, that cam out of my Intuitive Research. Tamara Laporte, is an artist I met online that I found really inspired me. She makes realistic work with a very whimsical feel and she has a flare for colour. Colours I love.
One of her favourite things to do is add her own little symbols and decorative marks to all her drawings. Some of her favourite shapes are stars, hearts, and castles.
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| MUSHROOMS IN THE FOREST - Some of my favourite marks are circles, dots, and sometimes just squiggles |
Adding small touches can add excitement, interest and a bit of you to your piece. I found it fun to take this idea and bring it into my work. Organic shapes seem to catch my eye: Tiny flowers, leaves, curvy lines, circles and dots. I was amazed how powerful a dot or circle can be. These shapes create interest. They capture the eye. They have the power to unify the composition.
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| Adding my own Small Shapes adds Interest, Eye Candy and Unity to the Piece |
My Research on Intuitive Painting and bringing it into my Process is ongoing. To date I have found I have learned new things, gained more confidence and brought more joy into my work.
Looking for More:
"Putting More Intuitive Painting into Your Work with Wendy Mould" - Video: Take an Intuitive Journey with me as I work on my Mushroom Story (Sketchbook Activity)
Looking forward to hearing about your Intuitive Adventures. See you next week.
Move your work to NEW LEVELS?
Contact Me for:
1. Private Drawing Lesson: (3 Sessions 2.5 hr each $250)
Do you want your animals to breath, your flowers to sparkle or your people to walk? Whatever subject your like to paint or draw I can build a drawing program for you. Private Lessons allow you to focus on the skills you wish to develop. Wendy is a experienced teacher, providing a calm, relaxing experience as you learn how to use the principles of drawing. Beginner to Advanced are welcome. Special rates for younger students. More info here.
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Have a great Artful Day,
Wendy
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