One of the greatest challenges I face as an artist is....
The Blank Canvas!
But not for the reason you may think! I've got some great oil painting ideas to help you crash through your blank canvas crisis. Just follow along!
Remember when you were about 11 years old, and your Grandma would give you a quarter, (no that my Dad's generation) would give you a dollar and a quarter, (now I'm telling my age) so in today's money it's more like $10.25! Anyway, you're at the candy counter trying your best to figure out how to wisely spend your money.
So much goodness in front of you, and so small a tummy to eat it all!
Yes, it's not for lack of an idea, but rather, which of a hundred oil painting ideas to do next. That's a passion I wish all could have. Hopefully, within this article, I can help you develop your passion for this most enjoyable thing we call Oil Painting.
I guess it's because I'm a person that views the glass half full rather than half empty. Actually, I see it running over!
Try this.
Find a subject that pulls at your heart strings. Think about family, hobbies, home. Find something that you love, that gets you excited and makes your heart thump when you dwell on the subject.
Then incorporate this subject into your paintings!
Along with this however, try to remember to find that something that will never run out of reference material. It can be people, animals, nature, mountains, lakes, fishing, old buildings. All of these have a special place in my heart but flowers seem to be the thing that give me joy! Once you have found that special something, become an expert at it. You will then have a lifetime of idea's that will fuel your passion to paint!
Imagine never running out of idea's to paint. This solves 50% of most artists' dilemma, the white canvas. The other 50% of this problem will be solved in using a decision process to narrow your idea to the best of the best! Here's what I do:
I will usually always have 4 to 6 ideas floating around my head at any given time! As I complete one work, I begin reviewing my latest "idea" folder and lay out all my photo's, sketches, etc. Then, as I review them, I pull away one by one by doing a comparison check. I look at an idea thats been in my head awhile and compare it to just one other idea. The Best stays, the other is put away till next time. I'll do this to all the reference photo's until I'm left with only three. I'll print these out on my ink-jet and usually after an overnight wait, one will speak to me above the others. If not, I just begin the painting process on all 3 at the same time. WOOHOO!
As one layer is drying on the first, I begin work on the 2nd then the 3rd. My gallery owner loves this 'cause when I give her several pieces, her customers love having choices. Try these oil painting ideas the next time you're on the fence facing that blank canvas and can't decide which way to jump off!
Source : ezinearticles
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