Week 18 - Lifelong Learning
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
Benjamin Franklin
Lifelong learning and creativity go hand in hand. There's no definitive destination that defines the learning curve of an artist. It's endless. I still feel like I'm a beginner.
This week I had the pleasure to teach an acrylic workshop to nine artists who were each at different levels of their artistic journey. Nothing mentally tires me out more than the learning/teaching process. It's intense. By the end of the three days I was totally bagged, drained, in a good way.
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I love to smooth out learning curves, share my knowledge, give what I can to those who, in turn, will use that information to move forward, and have "aha" moments in their arty future.
Besides, the best way to learn something is to teach it to others, and I'm on my own lifelong journey.
Ask the Artists
When Can You Tell a Painting is Finished?
One of the biggest questions of the universe is, "When is a painting finished?"
One of the things I do when I'm nearing the end of a painting is, I will sit back and critique the work. I'll make a few notes on changes that would improve the narrative, value, composition, or colour harmony. I'll then work through those changes on the painting. Next, I'll do a second critique of my changes and how they effected the overall work. If I find something else I think needs refining, I'll note it down, then make the changes. Then I stop. It's better to have an underworked painting than an overworked one.
Jen Lawton: Aaaahhh, the age-old question! I don’t! When I am just doing a photo-realistic representation (usually floral), then if I have managed a good likeness, I call it. I post images to a couple of artist friends and ask for their comments and suggestions. If it is more of a random painting (like my recent Pop animal paintings) I keep working away and adding, subtracting and modifying until my gut stays “STOP”!!! Once dry, I often go in a touch up anything that niggles at me. Instagram link.
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Until next week...
It was a trully meaningful and relaxing time to have your class. Your class refreshed my life and it gave me how to look at things in different perspectives. Your class led me to start to painting and I will continue to do it. Thank you, Sharon!
Sharon, it was a privilege to attend the workshop. Having it over three days allowed for a more in-depth learning experience. That said, like you, I was fried by Friday afternoon, although you would never know it by the photo. We all look, and were, so happy.