I was looking at several nearly finished pieces and I noticed something: with this new body of work, I’ve been leaving more of the original first marks I make, as opposed to covering everything up. This is a bit different from what I normally do, and I am liking this new direction.
How have you developed in your practice? What changes in your approach to art making have you noticed?
Best, Nicholas
47 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.
This is such a tricky one. Because one can fall in love with things or marks and then get hung up on saving them. But I know what you mean, I think it comes from confidence and experience to know when to leave them, and when to push past them.
That is it… well said..
I agree, good to leave some of the fresh, intuitively made marks. I often photograph my work at different stages. Often my paintings develop with as many as 6 different separate paintings all growing out of the ones before it. I review the photos only to realize that I should have stopped at the beginning!
Truly enjoy your generous teaching, Nicholas.
Photographing work is great idea – so you can always go back a step or two if you want… However the richness of layers underneath give a depth and atmosphere that does not exist if you don’t have that underpainting … I am playing with this in my work right now as I want to make work more quickly…. but also don’t want to loose the richness + interest created in many layers .
Sharon, Yes, depth and richnes of layers is desirable for me too. But I am beginning to adjust my work so that I retain some of the original thin marks. The thin and thick add interest. I see it as part of what Nicholas talks about when speaking of “differences.”
This was well needed today. Covered some marks yesterday that gave me some big second thoughts. Today they are lovely shadows speaking to the history of the visual conversation.
the quiet conversation…yes.
Thank you Nicholas. I am finding also that shadows from the earlier stages are making my work less rigid. Congrats on your show. I hope it is wonderful!
I have sketchbooks FULL of sketches that I actually am having a hard time taking them from a sketch to a finished painting because I fear they will lose their authenticity of when I first created the idea. I need to get over that. These sketches want to be taken to the next level. They speak that to me all the time. I just need to release my fear and bring the sketches to the next stop on their journey.
Hi Traci I just posted about my sketchbooks too… I have fear to put onto canvas but in my recent posts on instagram I am just going for it… in the sketchbooks really loosening up and sparce composition which is opposite of what I normally do.. As soon as you try to reproduce the sketch it will change anyway- just try to remember what you felt when you were making the marks in the sketch and conjour that feeling into the paintings.
Thank you!
Diebenkorn : “Use and respond to the initial fresh qualities, but consider them absolutely expendable”
I love that quote…
I can’t thank you enough for just trying to articulate this concept. The content holds so much value, but watching you reach for clear words and message is also enormously helpful. Happy Sunday to you, too!
So glad and yes it is hard to articulate these ideas some…!
Thanks, Nick. That’s a mighty little observation and a great tip to other artists. I, too, have been focused on letting original marks carry through to fresher finishes in paintings, and resisting too much fuss. The result is, plainly, more joy. Good luck with your show…can’t wait to see it!
I have actually noticed that in your art too…..thanks!
I just want to wish you a very happy show. I listen and read all of your communications, and take a lot from them, but do not share much. Your input is an important part of helping me to feel like an artist. blessings to you and the art.
Nice to hear from you and thanks!
Hope your show is a huge success, Nicholas
Thanks Candy!
Thank you Nick for your insights on your current pieces. I find that some of my original marks are more spontaneous as I’m not over thinking at that point in the game. I wish you the best of luck at your opening. Break a leg!
Hi Nicholas So excited for your show. Yes I think we get better by doing and doing. For me I notice that the first mark usually has some pressure to it. Once down, it seems you have set the tone and can move with direction.
Funny how your vlog topics always seem to be exactly what I need to hear at exactly the right moment. This is a work in progress, and I was just about to start “cleaning her up” while watching your video. I put her away instead, and the more I look at her, the more I love her imperfections.
Thank you for sharing your insights with us. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e109c9d1a7ed6ad8ae0053999f71fa06510d3ca5982b2d7803068ad1944c612d.jpg
Great that the vlog hit when it did!
So glad to hear your insight. I find myself hesitating to cover up my original marks, trying to decide whether by doing so I would give the painting a better direction. With all the demos showing paint overs, I often feel I almost HAVE to do it. It’s comforting to hear that sometimes your first impression can just be left alone! BTW, have a great show!
Nick,
I have to think that your work is a true reflection of all of your experience and the incredible principles that you are teaching us in our workshop. I think that your knowledge is so ingrained that your first marks are incredible even when you are “playing” at the beginning. You intuitively know what will look good and you are doing it without even thinking about it. Wow, wouldn’t that be a great place to be!!! Even though you are still finding areas to edit, it is not surprising that some of your earlier marks are spot on. Thank you for being such an incredible teacher and sharing so much of what you’ve discovered on your own!
Thanks . Interesting point about honesty of the work in the original markmaking. I need some meditation on it.
Thanks, Nick. This reinforces the thought that creativity comes out of playfulness and being non-judgemental, and it certainly makes painting a lot more fun.
How interesting, that you are confirming, what Picasso said a long time ago:
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”
Your admission inspires me I to have much more fun with my art instead of
analyzing overthinking it. Thank you for sharing your observations during the
creating of your recent body of work! I am looking forward to seeing you and
your paintings on Thursday!
Happy Sunday;-)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the importance of letting go of outcome and keeping markmaking fresh and energetic. I’m noticing that I really enjoy this spontaneous part of painting when my only concern is getting something down on the surface.
Very interesting … those early marks are often the best, the most direct … worry-free and free of making an impression … or as you said, Nicholas, we put them down thinking that we’re going to cover them up in the end, but they are the strongest, the most “us”. I too, put down those marks thinking that they’re just the beginning … they’ll be covered, so it doesn’t matter how they look, but the truth is, those early marks are the truest and most direct reflection of us.
I too, for the first time, like this new direction I’m experiencing. My first attempt at beginning a work of art has been to apply objects, transfers, in a collage manner. I consider this my ‘underpainting’! Then, for days/weeks/even months, I would apply transfers/washes, etc. until the piece feels complete. For the first time (working smaller these days), I find I no longer need to go any further than the so-called ‘underpainting’…….FUN DISCOVERY!!!
I look forward to your videos every week. Thank you for sharing your experience and talent with us. All the best to you in your upcoming show.
I’ve been developing a painting style that uses a massive amount of texture, using modeling paste with acrylic pigment. I start with a drawn outline, an idea, for an image. Once I start paletting the paint on the canvas, there’s nothing much I can do to change it, other than glazes, scumbling, and (once in a long while) covering it with a more massive amount of paint. The spontaneity comes in how the paint hits the canvas, but sometimes it’s a massive fail. Any suggestions or ideas? Thanks!
Thank you for this. Your videos are always helpful. Good luck with your show. I wish I could see it in person.
Thank you for another great vlog! I just love your style – both artistic & teaching. I’ve learned so much from you, and am grateful for each bit of insight that you share. Wish I could be in SF to take in your show! 💕
Hey Nick~ this makes a lot of sense and it allows me to move forward with leaving, and hiding
(Opposites, right?) I enjoy these small snippets of your studio life and practice, and finding one in my email box is such a treat! thanks again, Wish I could be in SF for your opening. All the best.
I enjoy your honest conversational way of talking about your art and the creative process in general. Have a hugely successful show in San Francisco.
very useful insight! Thanks!!!
I often struggle with those first marks- are they good enough? are they art?-and when I try to ‘fix’ them is when the messy confusion sometimes starts. I am being bolder about just leaving those first marks but also ending the fixing by bravely painting a white coat of gesso over everything and starting over.
Good luck with your show-wish I could be there. It’s a long way from Winnipeg. Really enjoyed San Francisco when I was there 2 years ago.
Hi NicK _ yes I also tend to paint over and over things I like your comment – ‘always trying to fix it or make it right..’ instead of just trusting those early marks. I find that working in my sketchbook this raw bold mark making is more ‘ ok ‘ – intuitive marks that I won’t paint over… that has really helped me to stop over working my paintings, trying to keep the freshness of my sketchbook in my finished works.
Yes! That totally resonates with me. The first marks and the first 30 minutes, when everything is fresh and alive really is some of my best creative time! And I’m noticing that after the 2nd pass im already losing the freshness and vitality in the markmaking. So I’m trying to pay attention to how I feel and not overwork a piece. So glad to bring it into awareness!
If I watch a child paint…. they will confidently pick a colour and then make a mark…. They never second guess it…. They also very rarely cover it up. This is what spontaneity is all about. Years ago I was very privileged to be invited to watch an iconic indigenous painter pain a very large painting. As he sat cross legged on the floor and worked from one side of this large work he told his dreaming story and eventually covered the whole 6′ x 4′ canvas methodically without a paint over or change to any part. I was mesmerised watching how this painting literally poured out of a place deep within his soul. How it grew from the first mark to the last without hesitation of any kind and how it fit so beautifully in the space of the canvas… To this day the shear joy of watching this magical event has stayed with me. When you have something to say and have the facility to say it…. Magic does happen
I agree as my initial work on every painting is my best. Teaching us to work with multiple boards has helped a lot to refresh my focus and keep me from covering up. When I get tired or bored, I find I try to force my design and end up covering over my best work. I did it again on my first pass last night, covering over a cloudy sky on a sea scape which initially had a deep emotional feeling attached. I tried to recapture the feeling and failed.
I’ve just moved from the Bay area but I will be at your wonderful art opening in spirit cheering you on. I love your work and save and re-read all your blogs. You are an inspiration to me!