I’ve been working on a painting and for some reason it just wasn’t coming together…something was off. And then, the solution hit me!
Click on the image to watch the video, and see how I solved the issue with my painting.
In gratitude, Nicholas
44 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.
Thanks!
Thank you, Now I’m thinking that is the problem with a piece I have been working on. Can’t wait to see if this is the solution. Look forward to Sundays with you and your problem solving tips!
Thanks for all that you share.
This is a little off-topic, but I’d like to pass on this conversation with John O’Donahue that was posted on the On Being website https://onbeing.org/programs/john-odonohue-the-inner-landscape-of-beauty-aug2017/ John has written a book on the value of beauty in our lives, which really helps me keep painting in spite of all the war, famine, poverty, hurricanes in the news.
Thank you so much for this forum, Nicholas. It means a lot to me.
Thank you Patricia
thanks Patricia–will check it out–thanks for sharing it here..
Such a small thing in the context of the whole painting, but so powerful. Interesting that you took the spot out instead of trying to create competing spots at the edges. I really like this painting. It has a quieter, deeper, serious and sensual feeling. Thanks always, Nick.
Well that could of worked too–however it depends on the direction we want to go..this painting could of gotten louder and gone that way but I chose to go quieter..completely subjective–your idea could also work…
Very helpful Nicholas!! Thanks so much for putting yourself out there and sharing this info!! Love to follow, but don’t always comment.
No worry Tammy… thanks for letting me know you are out there though..appreciate it..
I love your lessons, Nick- thanks for sharing your process!
Very helpful! Thank you. And I shall share this.
Question: I have a couple of pages devoted to art. Is it OK if I post this on those pages?
Confession: I already did that with one of your videos. :/
Yes Marti–as long as its credited back so others can find my blog– that is super helpful so thanks for sharing!
I always credit you and Art2Life. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience! Very helpful again!
Interesting point. I think that I’m actually experiencing this exact thing in one of my paintings. I’ll take a new look at it with this in tip mind. Thanks for sharing.
WOW! That is so obvious AFter you pointed it out!! Thank you for always sharing these gems!
this happens to me ALL the time..I even teach this constantly and I still miss it!
Interesting. Food for thought, as always. Thanks for sharing your process
Thanks for reminding us again of this insight – I try to stay conscious of the hallowed middle ground but sometimes it sneaks up on you. In this case, it’s such a small, almost smudge, but your eye travels there. The painting it very contemplative – quite beautiful.
Thanks Diane..
I’ve noticed for some time that the middle of any of my work is my nemesis. It’/ like a magnet draws my hand into that black whole and then I have to work out of it. Your example, explanation, and fix was so helpful! Thank you so much!
Again, very helpful. I do abstract art as a way to relax and get me away from video editing (which I do for a living). In shooting a video scene I want the point of interest to be just a bit off center from the screen to provide a small margin of visual interest. Apparently this is very related to “pictures that don’t move” as well. You’re demonstration makes the point very clearly.
Interesting…in a way I could in a way not want to edit in your art as a break from the video work…
It’s simple really. Following you and applying myself to abstract painting is so different from video editing. With painting, first I only need to please (or displease) myself and it does not matter what anyone else thinks. In video editing I have to please the client. Painting I’m free to break all the “rules” and try things that if they don’t work out I can paint over them. I can take my time or just let myself go. Video editing is telling a story with pictures that change at the rate of 30 per second (29.97 actually). And many times it does get down to that one frame. That’s why I enjoy holding a paintbrush. I also enjoy all your contributions to the art.
This makes so much sense. Thank you. I always seem to get stuck in one area where all things stop and my eye does not travel around the painting.
This is a huge one to get…it makes SUCH a difference
Thank you. Your tips are so helpful.
Thanks so much your tips are most helpful!
Gail
Hi Nick, So satisfying watching the transformation that the tiny bit of white paint made! Glad you shared it. 🙂
simply brilliant!
I know you hear this frequently but this is EXACTLY what I needed today. I have been working on a piece and I don’t normally put motifs in the center and this particular one is large and dark and IRRITATING and now I know it’s got to go! Thanks so much. 🙂
Great–weird how that works–just when you need it…
It’s that muddy yellow/ochre quad above the horizon on right. The brushwork is indecisive. At this stage you’re designing…
Yeah things are totally in flux still…in fact now things are really different again..
Well, after you pointed it out, it was so obvious! That’s the trick, isn’t it? Seeing it I mean. We just keep learning the same things over again and again, in new ways, don’t we? In life, its, the same. Thank you so much for sharing this Nick. I will remember it so much better now…
OH good…for me too!
Thanks, very helpful information
Never fails to amaze me how your drip-feeding of the bleeding obvious in your lovely disingenuous manner seems to resonate so immediately and fulsomely with your followers. Methinks the Emperor actually has no clothes.
true, and even a slight color change many times can unify the painting. Thanks.
Thanks for the reminder about composition and elements and how it effects how our eye moves around a painting. It’s been so long now that I’ve taken a class about stuff like this so I love checking in to see what you are teaching.
I truly didn’t appreciate the problem until you pointed it out – so difficult to be objective about our own work isn’t it? It’s like an itch but you cant reach it! Sometimes I turn things upside down or view in a mirror and the problem jumps right out….wonderful information, as always.
Nicholas, I love your paintings and the way you give us things to think about to make our art better. I am concerned that, on Pinterest, there appear to be copycats of your style. I do understand being influenced by another artist but these people seem to be copying you outright. Having said that though, I like your work better.
You are so awesome Nicholas. I think of you and all I have learned from you every time I am painting. The principles you teach have helped me more than I can express.