The Stages of a Painting
When people get stuck in their work it's usually because they are trying to do something when they're not ready or asking the wrong questions at the wrong time in the development of the work. Once they know at what stage they're at with the work and what they should be focusing on then they know what questions to ask. For example, if you're at the beginning stage of a painting you don't start analysing whether you've got the colours right, or whether the design is strong. Those are questions for later. In this week's Vlog I demonstrate what to focus on at the various stages of developing a painting.
Exploring Different Tools and Techniques
Authenticity In Your Art
One of the ways I do this when I'm building my layers at the beginning of a painting is to embed the work with drawings, words, shapes, colour, and collage that has direct relevance to my life at that moment. Watch the Vlog to see this process demonstrated in my work, and stick around to the end to see bossy old Ginny.
Building Layers With Mixed Media
Finishing a Mixed Media Painting with Photos
Using your Art to Protest and Release Frustration
Art has always been a powerful form of communication. In this video I demonstrate how I vent my feelings in paint, and the importance of aligning the method with the message. Watch the video and then express your feelings in paint - it’s a wonderful release of frustration, and as well as channeling anger you can also find a giggle along the way too.
Playing with Paint & Collage
The Opposites & Differences In Your Abstract Art
Cradled Panels For Your Painting
Playing with Paint in your Sketchbook
When I start my paintings I begin with play. I had to learn to play with the paint and the tools and whatever else I had to use just like a curious kid. "What happens if I use this?" "What happens if I do that?" I recorded it, so you can see what it takes to play if you are like I was and sometimes find it hard to let go, forget about what you're making, and just get lost in the MAKING. Watch the Vlog.
Colour Shaper Painting Tool
Breaking down 2 Abstract Paintings—What Are They About?
One of the questions I ask myself when I'm trying to nut out my paintings is "What is this painting all about - where are my heroes?" When I get this figured out it's so much easier to know what needs to be done next. Sometimes the hero can get lost in the crowd - so once I've identified what are the heroes, I can clear away the distractions and make some space for the main players to shine.
The Beginning of a Painting: How to Start
Abstract Painting with Shapes
Building The Surface of An Abstract Painting
In this week's Vlog, I continue with the progress of the painting which I started last week. I'm adding the layers and building the surface using different tools to apply paint and get a range of effects. Watch as I share with you the process of building my current work as it's starting to get exciting.
The Value of Drawing
In this Vlog I talk about this process and show examples of Picasso's drawings from one of my favourite artbooks. 'The Sketchbooks of Picasso'. He of course didn't have a SMART phone or Photoshop to help him nut out design issues - he used pencil and paper. And his small composition studies are the perfect example of this type of drawing. There are also suggestions for how you could use these ideas in your own practice and some examples of my drawing to demonstrate.
How to Find the Colour and Shape Heroes in Your Abstract Painting
In this week's Vlog I have made a small painting in my sketchbook following my process of building up layers. But what it demonstrates as well as building an interesting surface, and the introduction of the use of stencils is how to give strength to the hero's in the painting. Prioritizing the colour heroes as well as the shapes and elements in the painting that are important to the success of the composition.
