They are called studies or starts for a reason. Putting aside thoughts of what show are you working on, how will I frame this- all those types of thoughts have you looking the wrong way. Focus on what is in front of you, study and play with the colors. Mix that hollyhock pink till you get it right. Many times I do not go out to complete a painting - but take along cheap small canvas boards that have many coats of paint on them, and just do starts. I know you hear this over and over again, but the layout at the very beginning of your painting determines its success in the end. If you don't get it down right with a design, composition that looks great as is- there is no fixing it later. Sometimes these little starts actually turn out quite nice. Maybe that is because I am not thinking about painting for someone else or with expectations. When doing studies/starts, think first. This is not the time for emotional expression, but doing what you know about good design & composition. Have a different focus, sometimes layout, sometimes edge treatment. This is so valuable, just as doing boring scales when learning the piano. You are training you fingers to respond to what you see, you brain to what you know. After doing several starts, then pull out that BIG canvas and really feel off center. It is good to make your brain work that way, not to work in a rut. Or your work will look like it is in a rut. Then why do it. Try it. Just Paint!
They are called studies or starts for a reason. Putting aside thoughts of what show are you working on, how will I frame this- all those types of thoughts have you looking the wrong way. Focus on what is in front of you, study and play with the colors. Mix that hollyhock pink till you get it right. Many times I do not go out to complete a painting - but take along cheap small canvas boards that have many coats of paint on them, and just do starts. I know you hear this over and over again, but the layout at the very beginning of your painting determines its success in the end. If you don't get it down right with a design, composition that looks great as is- there is no fixing it later. Sometimes these little starts actually turn out quite nice. Maybe that is because I am not thinking about painting for someone else or with expectations. When doing studies/starts, think first. This is not the time for emotional expression, but doing what you know about good design & composition. Have a different focus, sometimes layout, sometimes edge treatment. This is so valuable, just as doing boring scales when learning the piano. You are training you fingers to respond to what you see, you brain to what you know. After doing several starts, then pull out that BIG canvas and really feel off center. It is good to make your brain work that way, not to work in a rut. Or your work will look like it is in a rut. Then why do it. Try it. Just Paint!
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