How I Start A Painting

Sunset Over the Ocean 12 x 12 inches

Lesson 1

Select a photo worth painting

That seems easy enough, right? Wrong. I have painted some boring photos,
that at first blush I thought were interesting and even great.

So you ask, what makes a photo worth painting? See lesson 2, 3 and 4.

Lesson 2

Visual interest

If all the lines are horizontal, or vertical, do not use it.

Lines need to be up, down, slanted, curling, wavely, bumpy.
The line needs to take your eye places. But NOT off the canvas.

Lesson 3

Colors

There should be contrast. Of course the combination of the colors
should be pleasing and/or interesting. But even a painting of the same hue
needs a contrasting shade (value). Give me dark darks, and light lights. Get my eyes excited.

Lesson 4

It is OK to play with the photo

I was a purist. Paint that photo exactly as it is. But now, no.
If the color of the flowers shouts too loudly and takes over the painting?
GONE. Paint over them, OR subdue them, back the color down. Ok, maybe I will just paint them a different color.
Is that deer that I spent a good deal of time on laboriously getting it right - distracting?  GONE. I can paint over it. And it is OK to paint over it.
Really, it is OK... Colleen (I tell myself).

If you are just starting to paint, I have saved you a good deal of frustration.

If you are collecting art, these might be the things you consider before buying the painting.
However, if you fall in love with a painting . . . just buy it.

Till later,  Colleen