Pick a Picture

Following on from my last entry, My Inspirations Box, I have noticed that when I take this box to my art class, my students will root through it looking for something to inspire them. But what is fascinating is to see which pictures they choose. Out of perhaps 100 or 150 paintings, they will regularly pick the same dozen or so pictures.

So why these paintings, and not the others? Well, for some it is the boldness of the colours (people tend to be like butterflies - attracted to bright colours!), whilst for most it is the composition and especially the tonal composition of the painting. The students may not be able to put it into words why they like a certain painting, but it is almost always a strong tonal value contrast that draws their eye and inspires them. This is the hidden secret of many a great painting. If you get the tonal composition right, then people will be attracted to the painting. Good strong tones produce good strong paintings.

As a plug, you can find out more about this in my online watercolour course.

My Inspirations Box

Are you ever stuck for something to paint? Or do you need inspiration to find a new style or way of painting? Then this may be the answer!
I call it my Inspiration Box, and it is full of paintings that I have cut out of art magazines. There are paintings here that I like, and others that don't particularly appeal at the moment (but may be just the thing in time to come). There are paintings that are very detailed, and others that are painted very loosely; there are oils, watercolours, pastels and acrylics, pencil drawings and pen & wash. There are portraits, landscapes, still life and abstracts. Some are brightly coloured and others almost monochrome. I could go on, but I'm sure you've got the idea...

Now, when I get stuck for a subject, or just want to try a new way of painting, I go to my Inspirations Box and dig through it. I am assured of finding something that will get my creative juices flowing - either by directly copying a painting (you can learn so much by doing this!), sketching ideas from it to create my own new painting, or using the style of painting in a new composition of my own. Ans some days it is just enough to open the box and look at all the pictures over a long cup of coffee. To me it is like listening to soothing music. Aaaaah, it must be good for the soul!