I will be using this site to share insight into painting tips and techniques,to help those of you starting out or those wanting to freshen their artwork.
Today I want to briefly talk about simplifying your artwork,
As an artist you are a communicator and a poet,,whether you are writing a song or painting a picture,you are telling a story to someone,you are inviting that person in to your world to have an encounter.
Being an artist requires giving a part of yourself away,being vulnerable and putting your heart on the line for others to freely take,when I paint I am realising its more important how someone ‘feels’ looking at my work than ultimately how it ‘looks’,there is a something that happens deep within a person,its more often than not the the heart connection that comes first and then they are drawn to the painting visually.
To simplify your work you have to make decisions before you even start painting.Youll need to know what the ‘focal point is’(the main part of the picture where you want the viewer to look),or in a song this could be the ‘hook’ of the song,the melody or part of the song that people remember well.The focal point is normally what attracted you in the first place,could be a sunlit tree,or a building,or a car,whatever it is this must ‘dominate’ The rest of the painting will relate to this ‘focal point’.
Here are a few tips to help you simplify your art:-
1.Keep the ‘focal point ‘the most dominant,strongest part of your painting,
2.consciously be aware its more important to ‘leave things out’ of a painting than put things in.
3.Dont clutter your paintings with too much information.
4.Stop painting,when the basic message is finished.
5.dont fuss your work,its always better to ‘indicate’ something than to ‘state’ something
6.limit colours you use in a painting,to 3-4,this will help keep harmony in your work.
7.Dont paint for too long,you will lose freshness as you make unnecessary brush marks.
8.Give yourself a time limit when you paint for fun,say 20 mins – 30 mins a painting,and you will paint quicker with more freedom.
9.Use big brushes and lots of paint.
10.Use less water.
Remember your goal is to communicate,keep your work simple,and than people can’ rest’ into your work.Have fun……
Thanks for reading
Liam