The past few days of working I’ve felt adrift with not a lot of focus. I know I want to work on improving my ability with the figure but I’m a bit lost with a lot of questions.
What medium should I work in? Does a medium matter? What should I focus on to get better at painting or drawing the figure? Do I need a curriculum?
There is just so much to think about that sometimes it becomes overwhelming. Then I look online of all the amazing artists already painting the figure with seemingly effortless skill. It all culminates together into a mass of self doubt and confusion…
Meh! I’ve been here before, I’ll get through it. All I have to do is read through this blog and I’ll find a day within the last three or so years where I’m saying the same thing. More and more I’m thinking this is the purpose of the blog, it’s mainly for me, then hopefully later it will be a nice roadmap for someone else. For now I need to get organized and have a plan for moving forward.
As far as painting medium is concerned I don’t think it really matters, but I should know the three that I use most (Oil, Charcoal, Gouache) well. The best way to do that is to keep working in each. So all I have to do is keep working each day and switch out mediums.
Curriculum… hmm… yeah I think I need a better plan. I need a clear direction to follow. One that I can wonder away from every now and again, then come back to. So this will probably be part of the next session as to not bore anyone that is actually reading my blog, haha.
Chris, I think this frustration is part of the normal growing process. Usually it leads to a breakthrough. Your figures are at a stage I only dream about. I struggle with them to even get started right proportionally. Relax and let them flow. Perhaps put them in an environment where they tell a story rather than be just a figure. I don’t know for sure I am just throwing out suggestions. Accept the frustration and plow doggedly ahead.
Thanks Mike! Some day I will have ideas for some long term work that may include figures within a setting, maybe even a narrative. Hopefully when I get to that point I won’t be struggling with the figure so much that it overshadows the message. As for now I’ll stick with painting daily and trying to get better. You’re 100% right though, “relax and let them flow”, I always do my best work when I’m most relaxed and in the zone.
Do you have a blog I can follow? I would like to see your work! 🙂
Chris, I don’t have a blog set up yet for my art work. I will try to remedy that as I believe it does keep you more disciplined on doing that daily work. My work is very inconsistent so far. I am happy one day and not happy the next with my progress. Thanks for sharing your work and experiences. It has been a boost to me.
I have set up a blog…It has my first art work on it now…pretty scary. The address is https://myoungartblog.wordpress.com.
Thanks for sharing Mike!
I agree with Mike.
Your figures have come a long way from when you first started on 130th. Even since Shoreline.
I know we all struggle with the “now what”? And feel stuck in our groove. There is a point when you may need to get out of your comfort zone to explore HOW to apply this focus to the points you are trying to make with your art. You admire Wyeth, well, simulate a little and study a little more of his subjects.
But I’m not an artist, so you can simply take my suggestions with a grain of salt. Or paint some hydrangeas….
Yeah, I’m thinking of exploring the same subject matter as Andrew Wyeth and Edward Hopper.