Starting Your Painting

Lydia Lane Legacy, 9x12", oil on linen panel (plein air)Recently, in class, a student mentioned how difficult it is to start painting on a pristine canvas.  Another emailed me and said, "It's weird how timid a blank canvas can make you feel!"

Every painter has felt that way!  The answer, of course, is to just start.  If you can't do that, then "mark" your canvas - just throw a brushstroke across the surface.  It's no longer as intimidating because it's now "used". 

The same is true when you're painting plein air.  It can be terrifying to stand there knowing every person who walks by is going to a least glance at what you are painting and there are many who are going to hang over your shoulder while commenting.  Talk about intimidating!  Yet, the comments are universally friendly, interested, and considerate.

That said, always begin with confidence.  Practice makes perfect and all painting is about practice.  Put down the strokes like they count and do so with conviction.  Trepidation will show; so will your assuredness.  Focus on the process and not the outcome.

Most of all - Paint!