Art making is so often a process of adding, removing, and then adding again. I do this constantly with lines, which are some of my favorite marks to make.
Watch the video and let me know what you think – what are some of your favorite marks?
In gratitude, Nicholas
20 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.
I find that the further I get into this painting life, the more I appreciate simplicity of line, color, composition, i.e., Andrew Wyeth, for one. Just as in writing where “brevity is the soul of wit” so, too, in painting. It takes a master to pare down the extraneous to only the necessary. I think this is true in music, cooking, photography – less IS more, which you so eloquently explained, and also reminded us that we can change our minds. I think that’s important advice – don’t embed yourself in the trajectory, but always be looking and considering.
Thank you Nicholas. Your videos are invaluable and much appreciated. They get my heart thumping. Anne.
wonderful ….thanks Anne
I am staring at 3 ducks I painted 5 years ago. The aim is to abstract and refine them. Wish me luck!!!!
Like magic dust, I’m in studio worried about losing the freshness of initial painting. Then this. Don’t be afraid. it’s better two or three times painted. Off we go. Can’t thank you enough.
Thanks Ann–
Perfect timing !
Agreed…perfect timing. Thank you!!
Thanks Nicholas. I love your videos. They so often say the right thing at the right time to me.
Refinement: what I should do with my mouth sometimes; hah. (Typical Saggitarius) Actually, this is another example of “art 2 life’. We are learning as we go, to refine our thoughts, our words, and even our deeds. So of course it segues right into art making. I liked that you said, ‘ …I hope this helps you relax…’ And it did. I will remember this. And another thing I got today is that it is important to share these kinds of thoughts with each other…I know, for me, as I am painting, these random thoughts pop up that often I don’t even consider worth sharing. So thank you for those two insights today,Nick.
You bet Phyllis… it is Sunday–this is the day to relax!
Oh, another thought: I’ve heard that all French women know to assess themselves after dressing to go out and to remove one thing. Interesting, huh?
thanks for sharing the process, yes letting go.. what do you do when there is a gesture drawn and the energy is lovely and can’t replicate.. and you would like it elsewhere.. let it go of where it is or let it go of the idea that it wants to be elsewhere ?
I always watch and enjoy your videos, even more now since the camera moves around less- really works better for me- thanks!
Love the energy you bring to your great work, Nicholas! So inspiring.
I’m working my way out of illness and can only work on small formats for limited time. Your videos and work are part of my ‘dream board’ – gonna get there one day down the road..workin’ large and free! Thanks heaps!
hey thanks so much for the video.. I love that you do these things on the fly with the energy that you have at any given point.. so relevant because your energy is in that place. I love your videos.. best ever really, so authentic.
Better understated than overstated, subtlety is powerful.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/3358b9acad47290f8707298428405c7ec20f11258532d386237e00cfd2d68c3a.jpg Thank you Nicholas,
I always look forward to your Sunday insights. Today, this was exactly what I needed to hear. I had put some lines in a painting and they just didn’t feel right. Now I am going to paint over and re-think.
Thanks so much for sharing this thinking and process!
I love watching and listening to your process. I love lines that are more free form, scribbles that are spontaneous and feel right – and giving the permission to cover it up to recreate it and learn by doing it a few times…such great words of freedom in the process. Thank you!