On this put up, I’ll share what my topic choice course of seems to be like and the questions I ask myself in figuring out if a topic is value portray. This is a vital matter that doesn’t get sufficient consideration. Most of my “portray” time is spent looking for inspiration and fascinating topics to color.
Overview of My Topic Choice Course of
Right here’s what my topic choice course of broadly seems to be like:
Step 1. Collect inspiration and concepts.
Step 2. Create a shortlist of promising topics.
Step 3. Slender it down to 1 utilizing sure standards.
Step 4. Time to color!
Generally this course of occurs inside a couple of minutes, and generally it occurs over days or even weeks. It’s dynamic, not fastened. Additionally, remember that that is simply what I do and what works for me may not be just right for you. Don’t ever really feel pressured into following my lead or that of different artists.
I’ll go into extra element on every step beneath.
Step 1. Collect Inspiration and Concepts
This step is a continuing for me. I’m all the time gathering inspiration and concepts. Although some occasions are extra pressing than others, equivalent to when a clean canvas has been sitting on my easel for some time.
An important factor is to be proactive. Keep busy and all the time be looking out for concepts and topics. As Pablo Picasso put it:
“Inspiration exists, nevertheless it has to seek out us working.”
Visiting new locations helps. Notably hard-to-reach locations. For no matter purpose, I discover the very best inspiration at hard-to-reach locations—mountain peaks, on lengthy hikes, or whereas exploring the wilderness. If I keep inside my studio, it doesn’t take lengthy for inspiration to dry up.
It additionally helps to do actions exterior of artwork. For me, meaning fishing, kayaking, working, weight lifting, spending time with my household, or visiting the native parks. This helps chill out my thoughts in order that concepts can come extra freely. Forcing your self to be switched on on a regular basis is counterproductive and results in burnout. Time away from the easel is crucial.
I all the time carry a digicam (my cellphone) to take pictures of potential topics. I’ve collected 1000’s of reference pictures over time. I additionally often write notes about topics, concepts, and observations. Concepts are fleeting and I have to document them on the spot.
I additionally love to do research or sketches on location. These complement reference pictures properly. Pictures are handy however there’s no substitute for research finished proper there after which.
Step 2. Create a Shortlist of Promising Topics
This step is all about sifting by the huge quantity of inspiration and concepts and discovering gold. I don’t go too deep on this step. Reasonably, I step again and have a look at all the things from afar. If something catches my consideration, I take a more in-depth look and think about including it to the shortlist.
In observe, this normally entails going by my current pictures and “starring” any which have potential. This protects them in a favorites folder on my cellphone (which you’ll be able to see within the screenshot beneath). I may additionally check out my current sketches and research. If a examine or sketch seems promising, I’ll take a photograph of it and add it to the favorites folder for straightforward reference.
Step 3. Slender It Right down to One (9 Questions I ask Myself)
To find out if a topic is value portray, I broadly run by the next questions:
What’s the large concept? It will type the muse of the portray. The stronger the thought, the stronger the portray. The concept doesn’t must be complicated. It could be so simple as an fascinating show of sunshine and shadow. Nevertheless it must be robust sufficient to compel you to color it.
Does it have any sentimental significance? Maybe the topic is a baby or relative, or a well-recognized panorama, or the house the place you grew up. Sentimental emotions are highly effective and might type the spine of a portray. Additionally they add a private ingredient to your work.
Is it applicable for my ability degree (not too straightforward or too laborious)? The topic needs to be difficult however not too far exterior your present ability degree. In case you’re simply beginning out, making an attempt to color a Sargent-like portrait from life would probably finish in tears and a muddy canvas.
Do I must make any changes? Is there a approach to convey the topic in a greater and extra fascinating method? Can I crop the photograph or seize the topic from a special perspective? Generally a couple of changes can take a topic from good to nice.
What does the completed portray seem like? If I can’t see the topic as a completed portray, or I don’t like what I see, then the topic isn’t value portray.
Does it excite me? I ought to really feel compelled to select up a brush and paint the topic.
What medium will I take advantage of? Some topics have traits that swimsuit sure mediums. For instance, oils are significantly efficient at capturing the feel and element of the panorama. Whereas watercolors are significantly efficient for “quiet” and delicate topics. This implies the medium I wish to work with will considerably dictate what topic I paint.
Are there alternatives to train my creative license and showcase my abilities and strategies as an artist? I choose topics the place I’ve a little bit of room to maneuver by way of my creative license and showcasing a little bit of flare.
Do I wish to paint it? It is a easy however vital query. Generally a topic will tick all of the bins however for no matter purpose, I really feel no urge to color it. Maybe it’s simply not the correct time, or maybe I don’t really feel assured in accepting the problem.
Step 4. Time to Paint!
As soon as I’ve chosen the topic, it’s time to get to work. I discover it vital to get straight into it. Strike whereas the topic is contemporary in my thoughts and I’m excited to color it. Don’t procrastinate.
It’s additionally vital to hold the concepts and power by the remainder of the portray course of. What was it concerning the topic that originally caught my eye? What had been my first impressions of the topic? This have to be conveyed by the portray.
If there’s a topic I wish to paint however I’m not fully satisfied, I’ll usually sit on it for a day or two. If I wish to paint it after that, then I get to work.
There are additionally occasions when a topic is so intriguing and compelling that I have to paint it instantly. I hear to those emotions; there’s normally a purpose for them.
It’s important that the topic sparks some sort of pleasure in me. I have to be excited to color it. In any other case, why hassle? I’ve many different issues I might be doing. Most of my failed work began with out a spark or enthusiasm for the topic. Normally, it was a topic that seemed interesting from a technical standpoint however in any other case didn’t excite me. Making an attempt to drive a portray out of those topics is a foul concept. Because of this I spend a lot time in search of concepts and inspiration. Actually fascinating and thrilling topics are laborious to return by. You have to put within the work to find them.
Some Latest Topics and Why I Painted Them
I’ll run you thru a couple of of my current topics and why I painted them.
Chontele and Elora within the Backyard, 2022
Why I painted this topic:
- It’s a sentimental topic with Chontele and Elora in my dad and mom’ yard, the place I spent a lot of my childhood. I attempted to convey my emotions and power by the portray.
- It has an fascinating colour theme, with the ocean of greens as a background in opposition to the mushy pastel colours of Chontele and Elora.
- Chontele and Elora have a refined glow as gentle bounces off them.
- It’s a difficult topic, however not out of attain. I principally paint landscapes and this was certainly one of my first makes an attempt at together with individuals.
- There are alternatives for conveying fascinating brushwork within the background.
Fraser Island, Sundown, 2023
Why I painted this topic:
- Chontele and I bought married on this journey.
- The sundown colours are placing and distinction properly in opposition to the darkish jetty colours.
- There are alternatives for utilizing damaged colour and energetic brushwork to convey the sky and water.
- There are a couple of refined and fascinating particulars, such because the inexperienced lights and obscure figures alongside the jetty.
- The composition is robust and interesting.
Perth Gardens, 2023
Why I painted this topic:
- It captures a pleasing reminiscence from Perth. Chontele, Elora, and I traveled there at the beginning of 2023. This was one of many gardens. This was simply after we didn’t make our method by a kind of massive hedge mazes.
- It’s a difficult topic with an unlimited quantity of data. I needed to simplify in an effort to make sense of all of it.
- There’s a lovely dance of colour and lightweight and it’s fascinating how one space melts into the subsequent.
- There are alternatives to showcase seen brushwork, colour variance, and texture.
Key Takeaways
- Keep busy and all the time be looking out for concepts and topics. As Picasso put it, “Inspiration exists, nevertheless it has to seek out us working.”
- I discover the very best inspiration at hard-to-reach locations—mountain peaks, on lengthy hikes, or whereas exploring the wilderness. If I keep inside my studio, it doesn’t take lengthy for inspiration to dry up.
- It’s counterproductive to be all the time switched on and desirous about portray. Time away from the easel is a should.
- When sorting by all of your inspiration and concepts, take a step again and have a look at all the things from afar. If something catches your consideration, take a more in-depth look and think about including it to the shortlist.
- It’s important {that a} topic sparks some sort of pleasure in you. You have to be excited to color it. In any other case, why hassle?
- It’s vital to hold all of the concepts and power from topic choice by the remainder of the portray course of. What was it concerning the topic that originally caught my eye? What had been my first impressions of the topic? This have to be conveyed by the portray.
Thanks for Studying!
I admire you taking the time to learn this put up. Be happy to share with mates. When you have any ideas or questions, be at liberty so as to add them to the remark part beneath. In case you ever wish to study extra, begin with my fundamentals course.
Completely satisfied portray!
Dan Scott