Many times I’m asked about my painting process. So, I thought today I would let you in on a little secret. Shhhhh…listen closely now because I don’t share this with just anyone. The secret is…..’trial and error’….What? you say, “Trial and Error!”. Yup, that is a huge part of my painting process…even after over 30 yrs of painting. I still use a ‘try and see if it works approach’. Now, granted after 30 yrs a lot of my ‘trials’ do work, but I still approach each painting with a ‘let’s see if this works’ attitude.
Why? Because to me each painting is a whole new adventure. Filled with mystery and little nuances.…an unfolding story and I’m never sure how it will end. I strive to make each painting a bit better then the last and sometimes you just have to experiment to find out what works and what does not. By experimenting you learn….and let’s not forget about those ‘happy accidents’ that can occur just when you least expect it! There’s freedom in knowing nothing is permanent!
That is one reason why I love to work in Acrylics. If something doesn’t go the way I expect it too, I simply paint over it and try again. The drying time is minimal so I don’t have to wait long to wipe the dastardly deed from my sight…LOL!
One more little secret I’ll share….at the end of my painting day, if I’m still struggling rather then paint over my perceived mistake I merely put the painting away where I can’t see it, I just try to forget about it and sleep on it. Amazingly…many times….when I look at the painting in the morning something miraculous has happened….for…..
Sometimes, if you are very, very good
the painting fairies will come late at night
and with a sprinkle of fairy dust
all that was wrong becomes right!
Okie Dokie…..the paint fairies are headed your way!
I too work in transparent layers, so understand what you are saying. Here is the ‘trick’ I use…I actually ‘paint out’ the area in question with a more opaque value such as black or white. Now the paint is still rather juicy and thin, but by using a more opaque value it aids to block what is underneath. I also ‘feather’ out the edges of the opaque area so that it is easier to re-blend into the existing areas of the painting. The ‘feathering’ is accomplished by simply adding more water at the edges so that it fades away.
Debbie, I just love you! What a great approach. Please send some wonderful paint fairies my way!
I use a lot of fluid, transparent acrylics, and the trick of painting over the oopsies doesn’t work as well when transparency is involved. I would love your thoughts on this!
Check out Sassy Part 5 for a photo of an example of blocking out the area with a more opaque value!
Omigosh, Debbie, now you’ve told our secret. I, too, use trial and error, and, after 40 years of weaving, have more successes because I’ve had more trials. And more errors.
Oh goodness yes….I never was very good at keeping secrets…..teee….heee!
Fascinating – I use exactly the same experimental technique with writing. Only the delete button is immediate and no need to wait for paint to dry 😉
You have enlighten me! Never thought about using ‘trial and error’ for writing! Thanks for stopping by and sharing that insight!