Sometimes
I get list fever, and this is one of those days. I have
made a grocery list, a list of gifts I need to buy, and a list of artists I
want to look up. The only list I haven't made yet is my list of lists!
But
lists are great things, especially when you are like me, learning painting
techniques and trying to apply them consistently and properly. Sometimes, a
list of essentials helps me keep it all together in the studio.
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| Moonlight by William Hook, 12 x 24. |
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So
here is yet another list, this time of eight essential painting tips gleaned
from artist William Hook.
1.
Sketch
carefully and solve compositional problems first so that when you are painting,
no drawing issues crop up.
2.
Paint
the middle ground first when learning how to paint. From there you can better assess where your center of
focus should be.
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Forest Edge Study by William Hook, 12 x 12. |
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3.
Resist
the temptation to vertically expand a scene, especially if you are painting a
landscape. You'll lose the effect of a vast area if you do.
4.
Use
a big brush so that you can't obsess and niggle with unnecessary details.
5.
Consistency
in your treatment of the light source is key to creating a convincing painting.
6.
Paint
negative space late in the process and use this time to define and alter
previous brushstrokes.
7.
Triangulate
spot colors in a painting; that is, place a high-chroma accent color in three
places to create a sense of balance.
8.
Simplify,
but also vary, your brushwork.
If
you are interested in more in-depth painting tips and paint techniques,
consider the Innovative Acrylic Painting Techniques Premium Palette, which features
six acrylic-painting guides--three DVDs and three books--that can give you all
the information about painting processes, color mixes, and glazing that you are
looking for. Enjoy!
