Just to add a little variation to my process, sometimes I’ll begin a painting by putting down a bunch of different marks, nearly filling the canvas.
Then, I’ll start covering or changing what I don’t like, until only what I do remains. It’s almost like working backwards.
Click the image to see what this looks like in practice, and let me know what you think…do you ever use this method?
In gratitude, Nicholas
34 Comments
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.
Nick,
I would love to see this video, but I could never get it to load. Please advise, thx Debby
I can’t get it to load either.
I’m also missing the video and so looking forward to viewing it. Thanks for any info.
I couldn’t access it either. Only an ad for Vimeo
No video – but would love to see it!!
Copy and paste in browser:
https://player.vimeo.com/video/235082971
I have always loved this quote from Wayne Dyer and this video brings it to life. I will be playing in my art shack today and will take today’s teaching with me. As always…thank you!
Are you working in oil, Nicholas?
I love this video. Things I already know but seeing it again in a new way….maybe it’s just hitting me differently now. Thanks Nicholas, you rock!
Yes my paintings are full of “happy accidents.” Sometimes it seems as if they are painting themselves.
When I’m deep in the process, and I’m listening to what’s going on, is when I’m more successful.
What a good tip: I must find a way to apply this technique to my large painting because I am stuck.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c5656338fc8a810efb18641fc2279f5599f21611724f8d9740cef4dd36185361.jpg
I love how this looks, at least what I’m seeing in this small photo of it…have you tried viewing it upside down & sideways?
Thank you Kathleen. yes, I did..upside down, sideways. I feel something is missing. I will work on it some more..trying to apply Nicholas’s technique.
-sometimes we just need to be patient…looking forward to seeing where it goes!
Thanks, finally got it to work!! Love the demo. Always to timely and helpful!!!
Thank you! Now I get it! I tend to cover up too much at a time. This reminds me to be more discerning.
Your painting really improved and I like that it is less stressful doing it. Right now I’m needing possible to add instead of a take away, some how I’m operating backwards to this process.
I learned how to paint like this, so I do it all the time. I am just now trying to learn how to get out what I see in my head – so difficult! lol:-)
This is totally my process. A process of reduction. What I love about it is I can get in and niggle all kinds of techniquey stuff all over the canvas. Then I tell myself, “ok, you proved to yourself you know all these techniques. Now pick up a big brush with the perfect color and remove most of it!
Lovely, helpful specific advice for me here, thank you Nicholas. Love how you demonstrate what you’re talking about on a piece you are working on.
Thank you! Great suggestion. And always enlightening to see how you work in your studio. I’m curious about how you have that canvas set up on your wall can you explain how and why?
Yes, I do work this way – my version of it, anyway!
This is what I NEED to do! Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
i would like to do this but with monochromatic color. its hard to know which tone or value to use when and how much. not sure accidental approach would work but i will give it a try.
I love working like this. It helps me to have more freedom in my painting, and I feel less likely to always be trying to control the brush work, and paint something perfectly. Learning that any of it can be covered up was huge, especially anything I did not love!
I have also discovered how painting over a shape I like to give it more clarity has made the shape more interesting. Not exactly copying the same shape, but with a different value, painting the same idea, similar to looking at the leaves on a tree. A depth is created by the overlapping shapes. In the past I would completely cover something up and then re-paint, but if I simple paint the next shape directly over it, it is far more interesting, (at least that has been my experience so far).
Love the subtractive process.
Thank you!
Thank you, I’m going to try this!
Thanks for posting this! I’ve gone back to painting after a 15 year break. Started with a 5′ x 5′ canvas that I stapled to the wall to stretch/prime. Then I added all kinds of colors and shapes with no plan. Time to paint out some sections as you’ve done, and ignore that voice in my head that was telling me this was the “wrong way to paint”!
This totally resonates with me 100%. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!
Yes I paint this way quite often and come up with paintings that I never could have planned.
A principle of both life and art too often forgotten by me. Something I especially appreciate hearing this morning! 🙂
I just looked at one of my drawings and the whole back half needs to go. When we get over it and realize if we made a error in removal, we can just add it back, it’s very freeing. However, when I watch someone else remove a part that I like I’ll say, nooooo😂 Best phrase of the day…it’s only paint, right👍Best, Laura
I love your philosophies because I work in the same way and it helps affirm what my own art practices.