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Question: A painting question for painters more experienced than me!?
Ok, I've grasped the fundamentals of painting, such as mixing, composition, negative space, telling the difference between a warm and cool red, etc!. My only problem is it's aimless!. My 'paintings' look like my 4 yr old niece's finger paintings, only with brushstrokes!. I seriously lack inspiration, at least until spring rolls around and my flowers start to bloom!. Any tips or exercises to get me out of my inspirational/creativity rut!? Any ideas are much appreciated!. Thanx!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
It might have helped if you had told us what style you paint in and what your typical subject matter is about!.
But consider this: No matter where you live, no matter how cold or hot the weather is, the subject matter for inspiration is all around you if you'll open yourself up to it!. It could come in the form of the pained expression of someone you pass on the street or from watching children play on a school ground, or from birds in flight, or from the bare branches of winter trees also waiting for the spring!.
If the winter and the cold depresses you or stifles your creativity than combat that by painting sunshine, spring landscapes, far away places!. Let your art carry you to places you would like to be in!. Let your art lift your spirit and let it fly!.
If you do realism, for a change, for a new adventure, you could try doing pure abstracts or vise versa!. You could experiment with limiting your color pallet (for a while I did only black and white paintings, including black and white portraits) or expanding it to focus on specific color themes!.
Inspiration could also come from visiting art museums or watching some profound movie on tv or from some odd shaped angle of the setting sun reflecting off a building or from basic household items!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Many people would encourage you to visit an art gallery in your area!. I guess I would tell you that as well, however you must be receptive to the inspiration that you would receive!.
You mention spring time and the blooming of flowers!. All of God's seasons are beautiful in their own way!. Show the beauty of autumn or even the winter seasons!. Perhaps you could depict the contrast between the seasons if that is what you desire!. However, normally, I would encourage my students to draw or paint something that they liked!. If it were landscapes or still life paintings then go for it!. Everyone does not like the same motif and color schemes!. Think of something that you would really like to do!.
My students in public schools were inspired all of the time!. Of course they were doing it for a grade, and you are more than likely doing it for your own self satisfaction!. I encourage you to get inspired and use the talent that God has given you!. Keep working and your work will gradually improve!. If you get tired of a particular painting, put it in a closet and then go back to it in a few days!. You will be surprised how good it actually looks!.!.!.!.!.Good luck to you and God bless!.!.!.!.!.!.NomadicWww@QuestionHome@Com
You've probably heard this before, but you have to just keep painting and painting and painting!.!.!.you'll be amazed at how much better you get!. Your technique, your feeling of just "naturally knowing what to do to make it better" will come to you!. I have ripped so many pieces of canvas off the stretcher bars and just thrown them in the trash!. I have thrown the palette across the room or onto the floor!. I have literally CRIED in frustration and self disgust and yet!.!.!. it's gotten easier and easier and now I can look at my work and be surprised and even a little proud of how it's looking!. I also make decent money!. There's a saying and I wish I knew who said it, "art is a jealous mistress"!. Making decent art is not for sissies and most hobbyists are never going to attain that deep gut satisfaction!. It is a pretty hard climb, but it's worth it and it's NOT impossible!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I work on using a different medium during the "dark months" just to keep doing something artistic!. It helps keep me in the mix until I come up with some idea of just what to paint next!. I wouldn't force yourself to do art in only one medium, you'll end up hating it and what you make most likely won't be to your liking anyway, so switch up for a while until your desire to paint reawakens once again!.!.!.!.it will, just give it a break for a while!.
If your usually working on life paintings then try working on some imaginary painting subjects, or visa versa, just do something different, or not! And just get stale!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
You could do paintings of mastercopies as practice!. You could learn the hand of the artists and understand its way!. If that makes any sense!. Lol!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Google your favorite things and got to Images!. Something will catch your Eye!.Www@QuestionHome@Com