Issue # 1 July, 2001

Well here it is the first issue of “Tips N’ Tricks”. I hope that you will get something out of this. I have compiled a large data base from friends and other artist’s as well as my own experiences. Even those who do not paint have given me some valuable ideas, and I hope to pass these on to you.

The passion of painting. I used to be blind, now I can see. Before I started painting I thought I knew what color was. How wrong I was. I did not see the subtle shades of a rose or the many variations of color in a leaf. I now see variations of color in everything. Painting is a passion, something I must do and I think that goes without saying for you too, so you need to find your own inner “passion for painting”. This will enable you to grow with your abilities as an artist. Study what you are looking at, look for the different shades of color and study the shadows, analyze the different light values and you will appreciate your results that much better.

It has been said by an artist that I know that, “art is an evolving process, not a single product”. It’s a journey whose end might be dreamed about, but never quite finished”. So you need to practice and practice and practice some more. Learn from others. Some educators will tell you to be yourself. Well you should be, but at the same time you need to evolve. Learning from others is an excellent way to “curb” your mistakes...a good art teacher will help you over these bumps in your road to achieving the way you want to paint. I take at least one course a year from an artist, and so should you. Every artist has something to share that could be different from what you do....it is imperative you take advantage of any success of another painter. It is not copying....it is learning and adapting his way with yours.

There are no shortcuts to painting. Drawing is a tool best used with experience, so you need to draw every chance you get. Take a small drawing pad and a good pencil with you everywhere you go. A camera is a good idea too, you never know what kind of situation might come up that you will want to “capture the moment” on film to later use it in your studio. I constantly draw on the several thousand prints I have for new subject matter, or for that “divine” inspiration. I few years ago I received a commission to paint a series of ten paintings for a corporate client. My time frame was limited, so I had to stay in my studio, and come up with new ideas from my photographs. Lucky for me that I had spent a year , traveling by boat, around Vancouver Island, the West Coast of British Columbia, and the Queen Charlotte Islands. This is exactly what the client wanted. So don’t throw any photos out.... You never know when you will need them.

Paint What You Love. Some artist’s love to paint just flowers.... That is fine if that is what you want to do, but before you decide to stick with just one subject.... Broaden your horizons; try any and all subjects, landscapes, water scenes, still life, etc. This is what I did and I’m glad.... I am not afraid to tackle any subject, even portraits, and I consider this to be one of the most challenging subjects to paint. I’m sure you have heard the expression. “Stepping Stones to Life”. Well there are stepping-stones to better artwork. The works that you are not happy with are the stepping stones to your better pieces. You will never get to the better artwork if you fail to do the stepping stones. I have a closet full of stepping stone. Once in a while I take them out and examine them to see where I went wrong. Do not be afraid of the “Stepping-Stones”; they are the way to your success, and better creations. Happy painting....and remember....don’t be discouraged by the failures....they lead to success.

In the next issue: Subjects that can suit you and how to recognize them.