Make a Battle...er.. Painting Plan....Then Don't Necessarily Stick to it!

I've found one of the best places to start out your artwork, is with a battle or in this case a painting plan. If you get all your artistic ducks in a row.....you automatically start off with a strong beginning. See the steps in your “mind's eye”, and play out the different ways you think the media will act. I've always been a big fan of the “Learn all about it” slogan. In art you really CAN get closer to the image that you “see” in your mind's eye if you learn more about your chosen artistic style, medium, and artistic techniques.

All my life I've looked at art....art in magazines, books, on museum walls and more recently on digital or Facebook walls. All the images I've seen have been “stored”, if you will, in my mind's eye, for good or bad. Whenever I meet a fellow artist, I often can't quite remember a name, and faces will change, but I never forget a piece of art, and the feelings it inspired in me. So, I will often get inspiration from various bits and pieces of artwork I've seen, along with nature and books. It's also good to remember here, there is nothing new under this sun......so take inspiration where you find it. Don't copy it.....instead make it your own.

Next you want to consider just how you are going to get the same look in real life on your canvas, that you see in your mind's eye. This is where the “learning different techniques” part comes in. Any time you can, experiment with different media, and different ways of doing your art. You can learn when you need to flow your watercolours.....

or when you want just a glaze of colour.....

or set just the perfect bit of detailing....

After you've planned and visualized your art inspiration in your mind's eye, then it's time to start painting. To extend the battle plan metaphor a bit more.....the saying goes....”...a good battle plan only lasts till the battle is joined.” I take it to mean that if you start out with your plan, and something goes awry.....step back and adjust or even toss your original plan.

For instance, I did this watercolour street scene and had the paper buckle up, thus spoiling the large painting I had planned....

but ended up having a stronger piece with the cropped section.....

Or I planned a large acrylic painting with three individuals.....

and ended up with a much stronger and more emphatic image with this....

Each time you plan a painting in your mind, you learn from the experience. When you actually go to painting.....it can only make a piece stronger.....and allow your creative spirit to soar.