3776: Observing the Indefinite

As I learn with Ai on how to simplify imagery into shapes and brushstrokes I always want to come back to reality. I’m using Ai as a tool to learn these skills, then I want to apply the skills to real images, real life. Every few days or weeks I’m going to paint from an image and see how I do. Like today.

Initial thought, my painting looks better in real life. Looking at the image here against the original photograph I’m a bit disappointed. Mainly with the sky. It doesn’t have the glow I wanted.

Review From Yesterday

Drawing: Take the time that it needs. Focus on each brush stroke to improve control, drawing, shape design and speed. Speed is all about efficiency not how fast I move.

Perspective: Keep practicing linear and atmospheric perspective.

Value > Color: Value first, hue and saturation second. High contrast and high saturation near focal point. Test when you’re unsure.

Form: Continue to think of each object as existing in space. Make it feel like it takes up space.

Shape Design: Practice and begin to understand what shapes are pleasing and why. Simplify complex shapes always.

Composition: Simple subjects for now. Rule of thirds. Edges. Value. Color. All emphasizing the focal point.

Brushwork: Practice creating as much as possible with one stroke. Improve my ability to soften an edge with a brush.

Other: Stand up at least every 30 minutes.

What did I learn?

Drawing: When doing a landscape there is some drawing involved but not to the accuracy necessary for figures. Landscapes are not the best for training drawing accuracy in my opinion.

Perspective: A little too dark on the atmospheric perspective for the shadows of the mountain.

Value > Color: Relative value is okay. Again, the shadows could be lighter. I’m happy with the color for everything but the sky, It doesn’t have the glow I want.

Form: I feel the distance and space between objects but each individual object feels a bit flat.

Shape Design: I was able to simply well but in the end I added a bit too much detail. I need to squint constantly.

Composition: No change with the composition.

Brushwork: The brushwork I did with larger brushes went well but as soon as I brought out my smaller brushes I killed the shapes and did way too much daubing.

Keep doing

• Taking my time drawing and laying down paint.
• Simplifying shapes.
• Getting the value right first and checking when I’m unsure.
• Finishing a painting daily and reviewing.
• Squinting.

Stop doing

• Using my smallest brushes.
• Details.
• Listening to podcasts while painting. Nothing but music.

Things to think about moving forward: From this article.

• Be quiet and still enough to listen to my inner voice, then boldly do what it tells me.
• Experiment, be vulnerable, create shitty work to figure yourself out.
• Make a lot of work, look at a lot of work you love, paint a lot. Don’t get to theoretical, work it out in front of the easel.
• By learning to listen to your inner voice and intuition, you will know what you need most.
• I am the music I like, the clothes I like, the art I like, the beliefs I have.
• What is my goal for these paintings?
• Try intuitive painting with no judgement on how it looks.
• Help other artists.
• Make my miracles list.
• “Write out the story of your creativity from the beginning until now. Clean the slate; release the pain that blocks you.”
• Morning pages.
• “Stop being a perfectionist. The antidote to fear is wonder. Replace your fear of being imperfect with a curiosity about what it will look like when you follow what interests you and listen to your gut.”
• Do what comes naturally.
• “Give yourself permission. Freedom isn’t given, freedom is taken.”
• Continue to limit my options when painting. Materials, subject matter,
• When I’m not painting surround myself with information about painting.