Preparing a whole bunch of new painting panels. You know what that means? More new art to come. Stay tuned. I tape the edges, seal the edges of the tape with acrylic matte medium, coat the panels with three coats of gesso, and then sand them smooth. © 2017 David Limrite

“I begin with an idea and then it becomes something else.”
Pablo Picasso

Surviving Mistakes

You have made a mistake. Don’t panic.

Don’t be in a hurry to cover it up or fix it. “Fixing it” implies that something is wrong. Nothing is wrong. You just haven’t found the right solution yet.

Stop. Brushes down. Step back. Take a look.

The mistake is not going to get any worse while you are deciding what to do.

When you step back to take a look, don’t just focus on the mistake. Look at the entire picture. What did the perceived mistake do to, or for, the piece as a whole? Did the mistake make the picture worse, better or more interesting?

Do not fall into the trap of hating the entire painting. In reality, it is just this one small mistake that you don’t like.

Imagine the painting without the mistake. Is it better, worse, more interesting or less interesting? If you are not sure, work on other areas of the painting for awhile. I sometimes try to incorporate the mistake into the painting if I can. If I can’t, I can always paint it out and start over. I now have an opportunity to try it again and make it even better.

Drawing or painting miscalculations are not a disaster, nor are they evidence of how bad an artist you are. Consider that mistakes, accidents or miscalculations may actually be an asset rather than a liability.

BTW, your eraser is not a weapon. It is a drawing tool. Erasing is an adjustment, not an attack. Erasing is just as important as drawing.

Best,

David

[SUMMER WORKSHOP]

THE ART OF THE FIGURE: LONG POSE INTENSIVE
(DRAWING, PAINTING, MIXED MEDIA)

Arroyo Grande, CA (San Luis Obispo County)

August 25 – 27, 2017 | Art Barn | 4 Spaces Available | + Click to Enroll

In this inspirational workshop, artists will have the opportunity to work from two different poses each day, which will allow time for deep exploration, experimentation, and trial and error. Working in compelling and fearless ways, we will explore drawing, painting, and mixed media as well as color, value, line, brushstrokes, texture and composition. Artists will also receive… + CLICK FOR MORE ABOUT AUGUST