This is one of the questions that is asked more frequently of artists, "How long did it take to you to paint that painting?" I usually say something like, "About thirty years and a few days." In reality the length of time it takes to finish a painting is not relevant to the outcome.
Really, some artists are fast studies and work fast and some artists work slower and take their time. I work fast, mainly because I get bored and loose interest if I take too long to paint a painting. I do need to put in some quality practice so that I am not always rushing to complete work for a deadline and make my thirty years of practice count for something. Richard McKinley says you need to practice and not make a practice piece too "precious".
This article by Clint Watson makes that point, How Matters More than How Long. I hope you agree with me. I plan to do some quality practicing this summer like I did with "tree" studies a couple of summers ago. It does make a difference. Check back in with me to see about progress.
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About Me
- Jo Castillo
- Bastrop, Texas, United States
- I Grew up in a small town , Magdalena, New Mexico. I enjoy art and the pleasure other people get from my work. I always donate some of my sales and art to charities, especially for children. That started in Bolivia with Para los Niños. "I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns." -- Winston Churchill
6 comments:
Your pastel below is beautiful...and so calming!! Hope you have everything ready that you need for the trip. I have to start gathering things together for my trip to Venice.
Hi Joan, thank you. We appear to be ready, good thing as we leave in the morning. Ha. You have fun, too. It looks like you are having unseasonably warm weather near New York City. Whew! More later, I will soon be sketching again!
Hope you had (are having) a great trip! Really enjoyed this post and am commiting to memory "perfect practice makes perfect" - profound food for thought.
Hi Rosemary, thanks. "See" you down the road, in between perfect practice. :)
Good post! I like your answer, "About thirty years and a few days". I'm beginning to understand the meaning of that. And I do agree!
Off to check out the Watson article and see your tree studies.
Hi Teresa, thank you for checking in and your thoughts. I do need better practice and it does pay off when done. You have been applying that for a while now. Your last few "practice" paintings have come out so well. :)
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