Great post. I often go a bit too far, and I think the reason is that I’m trying to please my friends or family who want to see the subject matter more clearly. Any other tips for staying on track with the vision?
Thank you, Ingrid. There is so much more energy in your first iteration of the girl! So why do I keep adding strokes? Perhaps I don’t capture the lights and shadows properly from the beginning? Something to work on!
Great post! I learn so much when you show examples from other artists, thanks! My brain always tends towards wanting to put in the details, but artwork speaks to my heart much more when the details are omitted and only "the one thing" is communicated (which for me is usually light and shadow). The struggle is real! :)
Another excellent discourse and examples from you, Ingrid! Fine artist and educator, you've got it all going on :) I read this on the way to the studio and went down the rabbit hole of exploring the artists you cited. Thanks? Yes, thank you!
Thanks so much for the kind words, Julie😊. I'm glad you enjoyed the post and the new artists to explore. There are not enough hours in the day to see all the fabulous work online!
Perhaps you know about ArtUK as an amazing rabbit hole? For those of us who didn’t go to art school - and those who did - you can learn so much. Maybe you’ll find some inspiration there to share with us :). Here’s a recent piece on the Scottish colorists https://artuk.org/discover/stories/the-scottish-colourists-the-path-to-recognition
This really made me think Ingrid, thanks for the wonderful explanation. I love looking at work that is mysterious , and undescribed yet I think I also love painting some degree of realism. A great question for me to consider is how much of both do I need to include to create the mood I want to convey? Thankyou again !
I am happy that you’ve shared a work in progress. It’s useful to learn how other painters think as they work.
Paintings that leave details unresolved are both more interesting and more memorable because they engage the mind and the emotions. I believe ambiguity and even mystery are more likely to fascinate viewers than paintings where everything is clearly resolved.
Bravo, Ingrid! Less is more. You always inspire me to try something new, take more risks, just put it out before audiences and see what they say. But I love the experimental approach and constant documentation to see if a step back is better than forward. Thanks Ingrid!❤️
This is such an interesting topic and it’s definitely a struggle for all artists. Thank you for your insight! I appreciate how honest you are about your personal struggle with the choices one makes to complete a piece of art. ( I don’t like super realistic either!!) happy painting
Great post! This is a question I think a lot about when painting. I often prefer things that are closer to a sketch but then struggle with how to develop the work without making it too realistic. How do you think about developing a painting in ways that deviate from strict realism?
I'm always trying to deviate from strict realism. I find I can do it if I remind myself that I'm just dealing with coloured shapes. The danger lies in thinking I'm painting a person or tree. Then I become literal
Thanks for posting this Ingrid, it's really a fascinating conversation - when are we 'done' as artists, when is a work 'complete'. I'm with you in that realism leaves me a bit cold (take a photograph). For me, it's the way our brain completes an impression that creates that work in OUR minds (which might be different to the artist's). And that is why art is a continual fascination for me I guess!
Nicely put! I agree that the pleasure comes in interacting with a painted suggestion of realism and creating fullness in my mind. I don't like a painting that leaves me nothing to imagine.
Great post. I often go a bit too far, and I think the reason is that I’m trying to please my friends or family who want to see the subject matter more clearly. Any other tips for staying on track with the vision?
Yes, well-meaning viewers can get into your head!
Thank you, Ingrid. There is so much more energy in your first iteration of the girl! So why do I keep adding strokes? Perhaps I don’t capture the lights and shadows properly from the beginning? Something to work on!
I agree: I like the first one best!
Great post! I learn so much when you show examples from other artists, thanks! My brain always tends towards wanting to put in the details, but artwork speaks to my heart much more when the details are omitted and only "the one thing" is communicated (which for me is usually light and shadow). The struggle is real! :)
I'm glad you enjoyed the post, Anna! Like you, I'm about the shadow and light. So why do I get caught up in fabric folds and little faces?😁
Another excellent discourse and examples from you, Ingrid! Fine artist and educator, you've got it all going on :) I read this on the way to the studio and went down the rabbit hole of exploring the artists you cited. Thanks? Yes, thank you!
Thanks so much for the kind words, Julie😊. I'm glad you enjoyed the post and the new artists to explore. There are not enough hours in the day to see all the fabulous work online!
Perhaps you know about ArtUK as an amazing rabbit hole? For those of us who didn’t go to art school - and those who did - you can learn so much. Maybe you’ll find some inspiration there to share with us :). Here’s a recent piece on the Scottish colorists https://artuk.org/discover/stories/the-scottish-colourists-the-path-to-recognition
Thanks for sharing this, Julie! Just what I need: more art to explore😁
This really made me think Ingrid, thanks for the wonderful explanation. I love looking at work that is mysterious , and undescribed yet I think I also love painting some degree of realism. A great question for me to consider is how much of both do I need to include to create the mood I want to convey? Thankyou again !
I'm glad this one was helpful, Sandra! Yes, painting is filled with asking: is ths far enough or too far? We do it with every brushstroke.
And some people think that painting is a relaxing hobby😁
Just what I needed to see for further inspiration!
Thank you for introducing others to these wonderful artists who convey so much without overdoing the detail - a constant challenge!
Many grateful thanks, and best wishes,
Bernard
I'm so glad you enjoyed this post, Bernard and that you found some new artists to admire:)
Thank you, Ingrid. I loved this article.
I am happy that you’ve shared a work in progress. It’s useful to learn how other painters think as they work.
Paintings that leave details unresolved are both more interesting and more memorable because they engage the mind and the emotions. I believe ambiguity and even mystery are more likely to fascinate viewers than paintings where everything is clearly resolved.
I'm in complete agreement with you, David! Realism has become photographic and I much prefer ambiguity and mystery.
I'm glad you enjoyed the post.
Bravo, Ingrid! Less is more. You always inspire me to try something new, take more risks, just put it out before audiences and see what they say. But I love the experimental approach and constant documentation to see if a step back is better than forward. Thanks Ingrid!❤️
I'm glad you enjoyed this post! It was a lot of fun to experiment on this piece.
This is such an interesting topic and it’s definitely a struggle for all artists. Thank you for your insight! I appreciate how honest you are about your personal struggle with the choices one makes to complete a piece of art. ( I don’t like super realistic either!!) happy painting
I'm glad you enjoyed the post, Joanne:)
Great post! This is a question I think a lot about when painting. I often prefer things that are closer to a sketch but then struggle with how to develop the work without making it too realistic. How do you think about developing a painting in ways that deviate from strict realism?
I'm always trying to deviate from strict realism. I find I can do it if I remind myself that I'm just dealing with coloured shapes. The danger lies in thinking I'm painting a person or tree. Then I become literal
Thanks for posting this Ingrid, it's really a fascinating conversation - when are we 'done' as artists, when is a work 'complete'. I'm with you in that realism leaves me a bit cold (take a photograph). For me, it's the way our brain completes an impression that creates that work in OUR minds (which might be different to the artist's). And that is why art is a continual fascination for me I guess!
Nicely put! I agree that the pleasure comes in interacting with a painted suggestion of realism and creating fullness in my mind. I don't like a painting that leaves me nothing to imagine.