September 17, 2017

Starting Strong

You can never bring differences into your work too early – they will only make your art better.

Click the image and watch how I improve a piece I just started with a few simple marks.

In gratitude, Nicholas

39 Comments

  1. Kathy Sobb on September 17, 2017 at 6:53 am

    I like your work and presentations.
    I would love to hear you talk about some of the tools you use. You often have something other than a brush in at least one of your hands. And…how you mix your paints…in quantities for large paintings? On glass palettes? Thanks.



  2. Sheikie on September 17, 2017 at 6:58 am

    I simply LOVE how you trust your intuition Nick! As always, thank you!



  3. Holly Jaleski on September 17, 2017 at 7:00 am

    Thank you for this! You put so much value in these little videos! I will try this. I am really looking forward to taking a class with you one day soon (when you have one in the main US 48). I just started painting without any training, and your videos really help me think of things in a new way. Thank you!



    • Nicholas Wilton on September 22, 2017 at 12:12 am

      OK –well yes you are in the info gathering stage..very important to get all the info…glad you are here..



  4. Juanita Bellavance on September 17, 2017 at 7:03 am

    Are you using oil pastel to shift those lines? If so are you painting with oil after that or acrylic?



    • Nancy Hirsch Lassen on September 18, 2017 at 6:10 am

      I had the same question….



      • Lana Schuster on September 18, 2017 at 11:53 am

        I did as well.



    • Nicholas Wilton on September 22, 2017 at 12:08 am

      Yes, Oil pastel–then oil paint..



  5. Patricia Deck on September 17, 2017 at 7:18 am

    Thank you for this! I enjoy your videos and can use this lesson today as I’m dealing with two bright white triangles that are the exact same size in the center of my canvas. It is so exciting to have this help!



  6. Traci Suzanne Marvel on September 17, 2017 at 8:09 am

    Nice…I am stuck on a painting right now. The subject is a sailboat and I just can’t get the background right. Perhaps I need to “shift” the sales:) Thank you as always for your insight.



    • Nicholas Wilton on September 22, 2017 at 12:12 am

      Hey well post an image here and I bet we could figure it out with you..



  7. Laura Liberatore Szweda on September 17, 2017 at 8:18 am

    Great suggestions, Nicholas. Assuming you are using oil paint in this demo, are your paints in the squeeze bottles thinned with mineral spirits or something else? I like the way the brush flows and the opacity varies on your thinned out whites.



  8. Micki Czik on September 17, 2017 at 8:34 am

    Another valuable visual.
    As always, in gratitude



  9. Biff on September 17, 2017 at 8:36 am

    Nick, Just wondering how you decide on the size of each painting you start? Do you just like a break from the larger formats (want to finish something quicker), or is it a marketing decision (you know folks love your art, but need a lower price point) — or some other reason to work smaller?



    • Nicholas Wilton on September 22, 2017 at 12:13 am

      Another good subject for a video..



  10. Carol Ludgate on September 17, 2017 at 8:43 am

    Thanks, Nicholas. It continues to amaze me how you can make such a small change that has a huge impact.



  11. Jeff Kahn on September 17, 2017 at 9:42 am

    thanks!



  12. Meryl Bovard on September 17, 2017 at 9:55 am

    Thank you!



  13. Terry Jarrard-Dimond on September 17, 2017 at 10:54 am

    Always interesting. Your self confidence is inspiring!



    • Nicholas Wilton on September 22, 2017 at 12:11 am

      I too am like everyone else…I am not always confident…but this is also a nice contrast to the times when I feel the opposite. Not being sure, helps make great art…



  14. Marti Grace Ashby on September 17, 2017 at 11:02 am

    Thank you. And I’ll happily share this.



  15. Ju Lia on September 17, 2017 at 12:22 pm

    Thank you it’s super helpful. I also work that way, trying things and working intuitively as I go. but you really know how to shift and make it wow!



  16. Carol Horgan Lesher on September 17, 2017 at 1:34 pm

    I love when you pop up with these short videos. A great reminder of lessons learned in your class. Simple reminders make a world of difference when I am working and thinking about all the principles learned. This is such an important one and has helped my work tremendously.



  17. Donna Pierce-Clark on September 17, 2017 at 2:25 pm

    I appreciate every single video you make and share with us. Any subject you approach, because you work in abstract shapes, always applies to any underlying design, whether abstract or as far out as realistic! 🙂 Thanks!!



    • Nicholas Wilton on September 22, 2017 at 12:08 am

      So glad you see that..sometimes people think I just teach abstract art…these principles apply to all kinds of creative expression…



  18. Patricia Singer on September 17, 2017 at 2:45 pm

    absolutely spot on – Scale, unafraid, dynamic!. Thanks



  19. Jane Coan Ellefson on September 17, 2017 at 3:49 pm

    Thanks for the “before you go” vs. “as you go” comment. Love your intuitive and reactive approach. I love spending a few minutes of my Sunday afternoon in your studio!



    • Nicholas Wilton on September 22, 2017 at 12:10 am

      Such a pleasure – thanks for that



  20. Suganthi Manickam on September 18, 2017 at 12:13 am

    Very interesting application and explanation of vertical/abstract forms. Thanks



  21. Teresa on September 18, 2017 at 4:15 am

    I love seeing this free flow of ideas for intentional variety.



  22. Rosemary Broton Boyle on September 19, 2017 at 9:35 am

    TY Wilton



  23. Jan Thompson on September 19, 2017 at 9:53 am

    I love the spontaneous feeling of noticing and trying something!



  24. Christina Spann Hammond on September 19, 2017 at 11:39 am

    I like the drawing marks but don”t know what you are using? Is it oil
    pastel and acrylic paint or house paint? You paint over the marks and it
    doesn”t seem to smear so I am
    thinking it is oil pastel

    Christina Spann



    • Nicholas Wilton on September 22, 2017 at 12:09 am

      Right Christine– it is oil pastel…



  25. Jacqui Douglas on September 26, 2017 at 4:36 pm

    Love how you jump in t the start and go for it…. sometimes I can over think this part…like learning to hold a golf club, too much thinking makes one very stiff swing. Have a great day and this is a good reminder to also let go and trust our intuition more.



  26. Sarah Treanor on October 2, 2017 at 7:30 am

    I know I always have trouble with forgetting to push things out to the extremes. Sometimes I’m looking too closely at a composition, or I start to get lost in what IS there and forget to imagine what else could be there. This is such a great, simple reminder! Thanks!



Nicholas Wilton

Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.

With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.

Join me and artists from all over the world in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.

SIGN UP FOR FREE(opens in new tab)
DOWNLOAD NOW(opens in new tab)