Imagination and the Development of a New Technique

An artist who develops his own unique style is more likely to become well-known and prosper in the art world. In an attempt to develop a new technique an artist must use imagination and think outside the box, experiment, take risks and try different methods. A ''never give up'' attitude is best as there will be much trial and error. A new original style won't happen overnight but rather develop over time as new ideas are continually introduced.

A new subject can be anything really. Quirky fish, flowers in a vase, house and tree theme or boats on water and their reflections. Subject matter doesn't matter. What is important are Shapes, Color and Contrast.

SHAPES - Use big, medium and small. Simple statements work best for composition.

COLOR - Receptors in the human eye are stimulated most when exposed to the full spectrum - so the more colors used, the better.

CONTRAST - To achieve impact, use the full range of tonal values.

Bearing these points in mind, then a good way to start is to seal some small boards then apply a coat of oil based paint. Begin scratching in drawings of your favorite subjects into these semi-wet surfaces. Whereas color and contrast can be adjusted anytime throughout the painting, producing a strong statement of shapes with these initial drawings is critical as it is the foundation of the artwork.

Allow to dry then apply color. Use thick paint and include texture using a sharp tool or wire brush. For example if your subject is quirky fish, then scratch scales, gills and fins into the thick wet paint. When dry the colors and texture can be enhanced with the application of transparent glazes.

Glazing is a technique which involves mixing paint straight from the tube mixed with liquin medium. This mix is brushed directly on areas in order to increase saturation and emphasize texture. Apply green over green, blue over blue etc. However, it is important to know that not all colors are transparent and glazing works best with those that are. Try glazing a single color over the whole artwork. The result will be a unifying effect as looking at a color through a color cannot be achieved by mixing paints in the ordinary way.

A different approach is required when trying a new style. It's all about trial and error, experimentation and risk taking. Compositions should be strong but simple. Use many colors and don't forget the importance of contrast. A new technique is never fully established but constantly evolves over time as new ideas are applied in a never ending quest for perfection.

Michael Cartwright paints in two distinct techniques. Quirky Cottages and Traditional Landscapes. His favorite painting method is Plein Air. However his whimsical style is produced in his studio as he relies on imagination only. Quality canvas prints of the two styles can be view on art-print-info Each print is produced with the expertise, skill and attention to detail, to faithfully reproduce the beauty of the original artwork. Please visit our website for further details. http://www.michaelcartwrightart.info/

For An Artist Imagination Is Everything

Whether you are a full-time professional artist or a beginner you need imagination. It doesn't matter whether you want to produce paintings that represent real life scenes of the world around you or invent objects that have never yet existed...

"Your imagination is the key and you should be prepared to use it"

If you are less confident in your drawing and painting skills the results of your artistic efforts might be called by some as abstract art.

No doubt to some, whose confidence levels are greater and have more practised skills, your work might be considered as junk. If you get this kind of response don't despair and feel disappointed with your efforts. Instead, build up an argument to defend your artwork and be prepared to describe its worth to you and tell the story of its origins...

How you became inspiredWhy you chose to use the painting medium usedWhat you seeWhat you are pleased with about it

You might agree with the criticism of a more experienced artist and want to learn from their experience but it shouldn't take away from the qualities you and your efforts have produced.

Remember this...

"It is your drive and imagination that drives what you want to do with your art, and not theirs!"

This doesn't mean for a moment that you deny scope for improvement. Without your ability to transform your own ideas into writing, drawing, paintings, film, performance art or crafts, no progress can be made.

At whatever stage of personal development it isn't your practical ability alone that gets things done...

Your effort to do the work is required and it is only from this that you show what you think and feel. This is the only way that your art and design can physically exist.

Having said that, it doesn't matter how much work and effort you put in, without ideas and imagination there can be little of artistic merit achieved...

Even if you intend to copy from photographs you still need imagination to convert a machine-made image into a work of Art - you need to be able to see the results in your 'Minds' Eye' before you plan and make the first mark. And, once you have made that first drawing or painting stroke it is your knowledge, experience and imagination combined that give you the confidence to continue making marks.

Using imagination is the only way any artist manages to make and overcome the physical mistakes that will be made...

It is your imagination that controls the process of adjusting imperfect lines, arcs, smudges, splodges and streaks such they appear to produce perfection.

Whether you are attempting to create a picture showing realism or you are more intent upon producing artwork of atmosphere and abstract emotion, what ever the results of your artistic efforts depend as much on your imagination as in the skills of drawing and painting.

And if you find your painting abilities lie in a particular direction, whether it be a particular field of specialist realism or abstraction, why not be happy with what you do?

Never forget that, before you try to separate abstract from representational art, it is good to take note of the fact that all paintings and drawings rely upon seemingly random marks that have no apparent definition. Even newsprint photographs and digital reproductions build images from dots of colour, hence the term 'DPI' (dots per inch).

In Art it is only from the use of your imagination that separates your painting and drawing masterpiece from the computerised technology responsible for producing photographs of a famous personality or star featured in a newspaper press release.

Which would you prefer to be responsible for...

Taking an average photograph that captures a single moment in time or in painting a long-lasting and hard-won work of Art?

Michael Dale is the author and publisher of 'The Simple And Easy Way To Learn How To Paint Watercolors '. See examples of Simple Watercolor Paintings and claim your FREE video 'Through The Eyes Of An Artist' & you'll receive the '4 Golden Rules of Art for a Beginner' delivered to your inbox.