Blog
17th May 2024
How do you motivate yourself when your mojo has gone?
I have many sources of inspiration and I'm rarely uninspired. However, I do, occasionally, find myself in a funk. We all get days when we're under the weather, exhausted or just fed up. What do I do? I paint anyway.
I think its important to realise that you don't need inspiration to hit you like a lightning bolt in order to create art. Yes, sometimes it happens (usually while I'm in a meeting or at 3am!). Its great when that happens but its not necessary.
To keep my mojo, I have folders of photos on my phone. Hundreds of them. I have "Weston photos to paint ", "Seascape references", "Animal references", etc. In those I keep copyright free photos that I've saved from online or photos that I've taken myself. These are my inspiration.
When its time to paint, I scroll through and see what grabs me. That's enough. I grab some charcoal and a canvas and I get drawing. Once I start, the funk soon dissipates and I am on a roll. Back in the swing of things and loving it.
So if you've lost your mojo, look online or out of the window. Find something that grabs you. Find a hundred things. Save them. Then pick up a canvas or some paper and just start.
The mojo will find you.
11th May 2024
Would you suggest paper or digital to start learning?
Yes
In all seriousness, when you start, all that matters is that you START. Each format has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Traditional mediums like paper and canvas allow you to work bigger and use expressive hand and arm movements. They allow you to learn different mediums and use different surfaces. They train you to use your eye and not use technology short cuts, ultimately making you a better (Traditional) artist.
They are cheap and easy to get.
However there are things you can do using technology that you can't do on paper.
Digital art has its place. Whilst AI and photo editing are "cheating", wonderful art can be made from scratch in programs such as Photoshop and Procreate. But this requires a lot more technical knowledge than using a pencil. Procreate is easier but still complex for a newbie.
In reality, I use both. I use technology to help prepare designs, playing with layout and composition, sometimes lighting and value. I use colour dropper tools to identify awkward colours. I occasionally prepare grids to help transpose the reference, especially to very big surfaces.
So in summary, for most people I'd say use paper to start unless you've got training in the digital software.
29th April 2024
Have you always been able to draw?
Have you always been able to draw?
It must take a natural talent... I just wouldn't know where to start...
These are two comments /questions that came from friends of mine. Its something I hear a lot.
Let me be very clear on one thing. As long as you can see and are able to hold a pencil or brush, you can learn. There are artists that paint with their feet or even their mouths.
The difference between those who can and those who can't - those who can, DO. And we do it a lot.
I haven't always been able to draw (well), but I have always drawn, ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil. You ask my mother. She'll tell you "No matter what we got her for Christmas, by Boxing Day it was all about the paper and pencils". I'm 55 now. Nothing has changed.
Its boring I'm afraid but it comes down to good old fashioned practice. People who love doing art tend to be quite obsessive about it. We pick up a pencil at an early age and we fall in love with creating. Hopefully that love gets nutured and encouraged so we do more and more. But all too often, people stop drawing. Maybe they get distracted by other hobbies, or get told they are no good. Rather than being taught how to improve, people throw in the towel and give up. Its not their fault, it's understandable. But its such a shame that people lose that childhood wonder of creating art.
Like anything else that requires skill, art needs perseverance. It needs knowledgeable and positive mentoring.
Can't play the guitar? Me neither. I wouldn't pick up a guit8ar and expect to get a tune out of it. You'd take lessons and put the hours in until you can play something passable. Art is the same. A good tutor and lots of practise is all you need.
If you REALLY want it and are willing to put the hours in, you will get there. You really will.