By Elizabeth McPherson
Weve all heard the phrase - "Everything in moderation." This old Aristotelian adage would be well-served for both life and art. Another phrase that comes to mind is this: Less is more. For artists just starting out, this bit of advice can be helpful and, hopefully, inspirational.
I remember one of my first times using acrylic paints. I began, as artists should, by outlining the basic shapes and forms of the subject. Little by little I began to fill in and expand the painting. But there was a point when I looked at the result and thought, "Now this isn't what I had in mind."
It can happen to all of us. We focus so much on the present, how much fun it is or what colors we like, and lose sight of the final product. Every step, and tiny change, should be carefully evaluated for its value with the picture we originally had in mind. For me, I kept noticing tiny things that I would like to add, or adjust. By the time I realized it didn't harmonize with the overall piece, it was too late.
I was embarrassed by the final painting. In fact, I remember storing it away in my attic so no one would see it. I didnt touch a paint brush for almost a year, and it wasn't until we were moving that the painting was removed from the attic and very quickly hidden in the trash cans outside. I had made the mistake of not knowing when to stop and ruined the entire project.
If I learned one thing it was this: use moderation and don't rush a project. While you can always add, you can never take away. This simple lesson can separate a successful piece from an embarrassment. Likewise, it can be the difference between a successful life and a life of regrets. Discuss this article on the forums. (2 posts) |
