All Things Fine Art

               So we now have my six (6) point process for successful painting that clarifies each stage of alla prima painting (see: "Simplifying a Complex Subject for Strength", dated October 3, 2012).  The results I’m hearing from students who have adopted it have been amazing. Not only have their paintings improved immediately but so has their understanding and confidence. The beauty of this process is its utter simplicity.

               As an art instructor of many years it’s been my experience, that like anything else, we humans have a penchant for making the simplest thing as complicated as we can make it.  Art students are especially good at this and complicate both their process and thinking by jumping around without a planned focus.  

               It takes discipline to make my six point plan work.  You simply cannot get ahead of yourself.  Be sure you follow these suggestions:

1. First and foremost, it’s ultimately important that each step be completed in its entirety before going to the next step. 

2. In representational work it's absolutely essential that value always supersede mixing colors in importance.

              Remember, color can error but value cannot in representational painting. This is a real biggie for most students as their priority is almost always at matching colors with little consideration for establishing the color's  value…a bad mistake.  

Again, it takes discipline…focus.

               I’d love to hear how the six point plan has helped you. Have you seen a difference in your art?  If so, in what way has it changed?  Let’s get some dialogue going and discuss this issue so we know what’s working and what isn’t.  Add your thoughts by clicking on "Comment on this" at above right.  We’d all like to hear how you are doing.