How Do You See Your Own Paintings?
In a minute, hang one of the paintings you are working on in your studio or somewhere else in your home and leave the room.
1. First, imagine the painting is not yours and you have no idea who the artist is.
I want you to distract yourself with something else, something impersonal, until you are not thinking about art or painting.
Then, walk past an open door where you can see your painting through it, straight on or otherwise, but don't stop, just glance.
Now continue on, get some coffee or flip through a book. Let the back of your mind collect its thoughts on the painting you just glanced at.
Don't analyze it, just feel it. Did it make you want to look again? How did it make you feel? Did you see all you needed with that glance?
Now, walk back again, glance and then (remember, you aren't the artist) pretend to be interested enough to get closer.
Gradually approach the work until you are standing in front of it. If you start to think it is yours, close your eyes for a while until you can see it outside of yourself.
2. Second, imagine the painting is yours, only now you are someone else viewing it.
Become that person and see your work from their perspective the same way, walking by with a glance, then getting closer. Imagine any number of other people, different ages and backgrounds, and try to see your work as they would.
3. Third: This last exercise can be the most telling. Pick someone you know who doesn't paint. Maybe they want to but never have.
I want you to distract yourself with something else, something impersonal, until you are not thinking about art or painting.
Then, walk past an open door where you can see your painting through it, straight on or otherwise, but don't stop, just glance.
Now continue on, get some coffee or flip through a book. Let the back of your mind collect its thoughts on the painting you just glanced at.
Don't analyze it, just feel it. Did it make you want to look again? How did it make you feel? Did you see all you needed with that glance?
Now, walk back again, glance and then (remember, you aren't the artist) pretend to be interested enough to get closer.
Gradually approach the work until you are standing in front of it. If you start to think it is yours, close your eyes for a while until you can see it outside of yourself.
2. Second, imagine the painting is yours, only now you are someone else viewing it.
Become that person and see your work from their perspective the same way, walking by with a glance, then getting closer. Imagine any number of other people, different ages and backgrounds, and try to see your work as they would.
3. Third: This last exercise can be the most telling. Pick someone you know who doesn't paint. Maybe they want to but never have.
Then pretend the painting is theirs and see yourself walk into their house and they say, "Hey I just painted this, what do you think?"
Continuing this way will help you to see your work outside of yourself, living on its own, with no texts or explanation. Imagine it was painted by other people of all ages and walks of life. Imagine it in a museum between two paintings you look up to.
Learn to develop your unique and authentic voice...
Read more about
Secrets of Powerful Painting, Book I
Learn to develop your unique and authentic voice...
Read more about
Secrets of Powerful Painting, Book I
