
10 Observations On Learning To Paint From Over A Decade Of Teaching Students
June 1, 2021
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June 17, 2021The Five Practices of Developing Yourself As An Artist
The Five Practices of Developing Yourself As An Artist.
I was reflecting recently on my ten year journey as an artist.
In November 2010 I did my first oil painting.
By November 2020, a decade later, I had well and truly built a successful art business around my art that had kept me employed full time for a number of years.
In thinking about this I asked what where some of the key things that I did to develop myself as an artist that I could share with you here today.
I identified 5 practices that I engaged in on a consistent and regular basis over the journey of the last five years. Without these 5 practices I doubt I would be doing what I am today and having the impact that I have through the Learn To Paint Academy.
So here are the five practices. They are in no particular order. I view each of them as being equally important.
Practice #1 – Inspiration
Inspiration is important for us artist.
The problem is inspiration is not a constant force. It comes and goes over time. There will be times when we feel highly inspired, and times when we have a total lack of inspiration.
For those of endeavouring to develop ourselves as artists, and perhaps even build an art business around our art, we can not have variable levels of inspiration.
We need to remain inspired to keep moving forward.
So developing inspiration is an on-going practice for successful artists.
For me I build inspiration in a number of ways:
- I go on regular road trips into the country or to the beach. Being a landscape and seascape artist I think its vital that I spend time immersed in my subject matter. I draw inspiration from the elements. As such I make it a regular part of my year, at least three or four times, to go on road trips. Along the way I take plenty of photos of scenes that could inspire my next painting.
- Over the years I have identified a handful of artists whose work inspires me. I have downloaded every photo of their work on the internet that I can find, and print them out. I then glue these into a large sketch book which is my book of inspiration. When I need a shot of inspiration I spend time going through my book of inspiration.
- Visit exhibitions, galleries and museums. I make it a regular part of my year to go and see the exhibitions of the great artists. Visiting galleries and museums is another source of inspiration. Often I will travel interstate to see an exhibition. This is a huge source of inspirtation for me.
There are a number of other things I do regularly as part of my inspiration practice but you get the idea.
The key is not to wait for inspiration to show up.
You have to take responsibility for it and work on developing it.
Practice #2 – Studio
Having a dedicated space for a studio is vital to progressing as an artist.
If you don’t currently have a studio space then find a closet in your house, or corner of the garage and clear it out. Hang a sign up saying “Studio” and treat it like your sacred studio space.
That’s what I did when I started out. A literally started in a storage closet. Today I have a 120m2 factory as a studio but I probably wouldn’t have made it here if it wasn’t for that first closet.
When you have a dedicated studio you have a place to go to do your work. A place to create in. A place to have all of your art supplies and tools of your trade ready and waiting for you.
Tell your family and friends that your studio space is sacred and that when you are in the studio you are there to create and work, and that they should honour your time and space.
Then dedicate yourself to turning up at your studio.
Set regular times if you need to. Block out studio time in your calendar.
Developing a practise around your studio will help you start to step into the identity of an artist.
Practice #3 – Study
From the day I started to this day and probably for the rest of my journey as an artist I will be a student first and foremost.
Yes I teach others (mostly as I have a passion for empowering and inspiring creatives).
The thing I have found is the more I study about art, and learning to paint, the more I realise there is to study.The body of knowledge to study is not finite. Its expansive.
When I started out I had such a strong desire to learn, and no money, that I had to sell my much loved guitars to fund my studies.
I purchased books, hundreds of DVD’s and went to workshops where ever I could.
I became a serious student and remain so today.
So one of my key practices is that of study. I set aside time each week to study and learn from those who went before me.
What should you study? What should you focus on in your study practise?
The fundamentals of good painting!
These are the basics.
As my first mentor Jim Rohn says “there are usually about a half a dozen basics that account for 80% of the differene in your results!”
Learning to paint is no different.
The fundamentals you would be wise to study are:
1/ Composition & Design
2/ Values
3/ Colour & Colour Mixing
4/ Brushes & Brushwork
5/ Edges
6/ Drawing & Observational skills
Don’t just study them so you have an intellectual understanding of them. Study them until they show up in the form of improved paintings. And then continue to study them in depth.
Practice #4 – Practice
There is no substitute for pushing paint around a surface if you want to get good.
You can’t avoid the need to paint a lot, paint often, and paint consistently over time.
The great artist Kevin McPherson says that if you paint 1,000 paintings in three years you will become a professional artist. How true.
Make a practise of studying the fundamentals of good painting, and then make a practise of regular practise.
Brush miles is essential.
Practice #5 – Inner
Finally and perhaps the most important is the practise of working on your inner self.
Your mindset is one of the key determining factors in the successes or failures you will have in life in any area of your life.
Becoming a great artist requires you have an empowered mindset.
For many of us life beats us down through its various twists and turns, events and challenges.
We can wind up with a mindset that is disempowering before we know it.
This can hold you back.
So one of the most important things to make a regular practise is the practise of working on developing a more empowering mindset.
Work on developing self belief.
Become an empowered human being with a positive, optimistic outlook on life.
These are the five art practices I engaged in regularly over the last decade and I have no doubt I will continue with in the next decade to come.
I offer them to you as ideas to contemplate, adopt into your own art journey, and adapt to suit yourself as you see fit.
The journey to fully express and develop yourself as an artist is not an easy one, but it is one hundred percent possible if your heart is true, your mind empowered, and your soul inspired.
Most important though is to enjoy the journey
Ready to study the fundamentals of good painting? – Click Here To Get Started
Thanks Rod. I have made a list of these 5 practices and will use them to develop my art work. I have painted an abandoned car which was later burnt out and left in front of our house. I painted two trees in their Autumnal glory as backdrop. I will enter this painting in our local Winter Art Gallery Exhibition
Thanks for watching Marilyn … hope they help you along the way
Rod, thanks for this. All of these suggestions lead to success we all hope for. As an artist following these guidelines, I have seen great reaction from viewers and potential patrons as my art has improved over the years.
For me, the greatest compliment comes when someone who has never bought a painting wants to purchase a piece!
I only paint when inspired! Another factor is being free from distractions.
While I am not currently a full time artist, I am dedicated and committed to producing more in the future and hope to make ART a full time endeavor.
I paint what I like, and generally paint to the “MARKET” when commissioned.
Many thanks again for your commitment to inspire other aspiring artists, and your patience.!
Regards, Andrew Pickens, Clayton, Ga. USA
Thanks for watching Andrew. Sounds like you are well and truly on your way with your artist journey. Enjoy each step 🙂
Thank you Rod for all your time and teaching in such an enjoyable and constructive way.
Thanks for watching Megan … im glad it helped 🙂
Thank you Rod. All of the points you mention are so important and easy to forget.
You are my inspiration to keep painting.
Thanks for watching Gaetanne … enjoy the journey 🙂
Thank you for sharing that. You give so much of yourself and you share so much of your experiences with others.
Thanks for watching Dianne … my mission is to inspire others 🙂
Thank you Rod for another interesting and valuable video chat. As always, you exceed expectations. So appreciate the extra time you take to encourage us and share your wisdom. Becoming a member of the Learn to Paint Academy is one of the best decisions I’ve made. Such a terrific welcoming community. Love that you are so committed and passionate about your love of painting and teaching. You are my inspiration!
Thanks for the kind words Linda. Great to have you join us
I would like to pay this 67.00$ but wondering why the amount is 800.00$ less it worries me..
Hi Joy … the amount over $800 for the Fundamentals Program is what you would pay if you purchased each of the courses and projects seperately. That is the total retail cost.
Because we want to make this information available to as many people as possible we have put the courses and projects from the Fundamentals Program into a bundle and discounted it to just $67 for a limited time. Saving you a lot of money. The details can be found here – https://learntopaint.academy/fundamentals-program/
Having the ability to see you talking as well as being able to see your white board / ( or picture you’re working on) at the same time is a huge improvement. Can you do this in your live streams when you’re working on paintings?
It would be good if we can achieve this … current studio set up won’t allow it but I am working on a complete studio upgrade in the future and will incorporate this into the design. Thanks for the idea
Thanks Rod, an excellent discussion to get you to your goals. Could apply these practices to anything in life you wish to achieve. I wholeheartedly agree that these 5 areas are an ongoing process and working on our mindset – point 5, is so integral to gaining success.
Thanks for watching Madeleine. Yes you are so right … they can apply broadly. The inner practise is where we bridge the gap from where we find ourselves to our hearts desires 🙂
Yes I agree Rod with your five basic points. We are all students and there is always something new to learn.
Thanks for watching Kevin. Yes no matter how much we learn there is always more to learn 🙂
Great recommendations Rod. I have a folder with printed out art that inspires me. I have a studio set up with loads of supplies. I’ve recently taken up the idea of doing studies, whether they’re colour studies, drawing, practicing some type of technique. This overflows into your point of practicing. With this one, I also allow myself to paint bad paintings. What I mean by that, is if they don’t work out, at least I’ve painted something and learned something. I just paint over them again. Funny thing is… some of my best paintings are paintings that have been painted over a bad one:) The last point is a good one too. Keeping an eye on your inner self talk. I love that one.
I’m sad we’ll miss the workshop in Melbourne. Hopefully you’ll be back soon. Thanks for the insights.
PS: I recently sold a painting for $600! I also painted one for a celebrity in the USA and it’s hanging on his wall.
Thanks for watching Ludwina. Sounds like you are well and truly on your way with your artist journey. 🙂
Thank you for the continued inspiration! The more I listen, the more I learn; even if I already heard you speak of the 5 practices something new always comes forward. Practice, practice and believing in myself are they key points I need to work on.
Thanks for watching Theresa … glad you found the area you need to focus on. Enjoy the journey 🙂
Thanks Rod, great little nuggets of wisdom. Really enjoy being part of the academy
Thanks for watching Jacqueline. Great to have you with us in Learn To Paint Academy 🙂
Hi Rod, once again I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful inspiration you enthuse in us all. I so appreciate the time you give us which in turn inspires us to continue along our journey. I have so often put my paints away as I have felt I have no talent, then I listen to your words of wisdom and off I go again with great gusto. From joining your groups and purchasing the Fundimentals Course I am now on my way. Once again thank you Rod.
Cheers
Val
Thanks for your kind message Val. I’m glad my work is inspiring you to follow your art journey
Thank you for this presentation one thing that I find difficult is having a dedicated studio space this is fine when I am at home however I live 8 months of the year travelling around in my caravan have you any suggestions to overcome this
Thanks for watching Trevor. If you are in the caravan then perhaps try a plein air easel you can set up outside the van?
Mal Cardillo Thank you Rod very enjoyable.a lot to learn.
Glad you found it helpful Mal well done
Thank you Rod for opening a new world to me and for generously sharing your thoughts and experiences throughout the years so we can also learn how to paint. I never painted before, I am 53 years old and I thought that we have to be born with the artistic talent , gift in order to paint. Now that I found your videos on Youtube and tried for the first time to pain a landscape, I feel so good about myself knowing that I also can do it. Thanks to you. I will continue to watch your videos and paint. I can believe I am saying that now! I am forever grateful to you for posting so many videos for beginners for free on Youtube. May God bless your heart.
Great to have you join us Mieko