When I wrote the previous post about painting using photo references, I intended to follow it up with a post about painting from life. That story is not quite ready yet so, we are going to take the scenic route there. Part 1 of 3, making better paintings.
I think a lot of people struggle with the idea of being an artist. There are just too many people running around playing artist, too many that like the idea of being an artist, but don’t have any interest in, or ability to actually do the work. The situation is dire that, it is hard to even answer the question that everyone is bound to face on an incredibly regular basis; “what do you do?” Because you know that, when you answer “artist”, they are going to picture that annoying guy in IT that claims to be a musician, and pesters everyone in the office to see his depressing cover band for their annual gig at the VFW. They are going to picture their great aunt making watercolor paintings to pass the time. Whatever it is, they are not going to see someone who wakes up early in the morning to put in a serious day of work in the studio and they are going to ask you, no I mean, what do you do… like for money.
Not too long ago, I was beginning to work towards making art a job and, while I liked the idea of being an artist, I struggled with admitting it out loud. There are probably a lot of good ways to deal with this problem but, my solution was to make better art. If I was not excited to show people what I was working on, I had to consider the possibility that it was just not good enough. So I sat down, worked harder, came up with better paintings, and was pretty much instantly rewarded with increased attention and, most importantly, sales.
Unfortunately, things have started to plateau. I am still happy with the work I am producing, but I used to look at the paintings I was working on, and just be amazed at what I had done. I used to finish each piece and feel like it was the best one I had ever made and, lately I have not felt that way. I am investing more and more time, money, and energy into each painting and, while they are still improving, I just don’t feel like I am getting as much out as I am putting in.
So I decided to look back. The last time I lost my way, I decided to make bigger, better paintings and I came up with this piece:
It has always been one of my personal favorites. The painting is not overworked but parts that need detail have it. It is realistic but there are little distortions that really play with the feeling of the piece. Everything just feels like it is working together. As I look back through my work, I see a lot of similarities in my favorite pieces. I also see a lot of pieces where I painted myself into a corner. I see a lot of pieces where an idea was not entirely worked out before I had already committed weeks of effort into a large piece and I realize where I have lost my way.
All of my favorite pieces have one thing in common. They all started out as smaller scale experiments. Once the idea was fully worked out, I stepped up the size and detail to create the final piece. Then there are the paintings that are not quite as successful. Paintings where I got excited about an idea and just dove in without a clear goal. When you have been working on a piece for weeks (or months) it is hard to admit that it has gone off the rails so, I keep pushing until they (mostly) work. Clearly, this is why people refine their ideas with small scale studies. With relatively little time and money invested, you can really let lose and see what happens. If it works, great, if not toss it and try again. No problem.
So, I am going to get back into the habit of sketching and creating smaller study pieces. As evidence, here is a study I have been working on for, what will be my second attempt at a large piece with this pose.
Also, no offense intended to any IT guys in cover bands playing the VFW or great aunts making watercolor paintings. Keep doing your thing.