Advice for Painting Loosely

'Summer Bouquet'        5x7        pastel          ©Karen Margulis  SOLD

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." Picasso

 Paint with the fearlessness of a child.  I saw it this week with my summer art camp. I had four  nine year old girls for three days of art.  They took on each project with joy and they were not afraid of 'doing it the wrong way'.  Each child created work that was totally unique and free. They didn't worry about following the rules or painting something like someone else. They just let allowed themselves to create without restrictions.

The other evening in my adult pastel class we did the dusting technique. This technique is not for the perfectionist. You can't totally control the outcome only guide it. It is a perfect way to keep loose. One of the students commented that she found  the more she learned and the more classes she took, the tighter her work had become.  This happens often.  The more we know about painting and art concepts the more we slow down to think about everything we do in a painting.  This is a good thing but it often interferes with our spontaneity. We tighten up because we are afraid to take chances in case we aren't doing it 'the right way'.

We need to find a balance as we learn and grow in our painting knowledge. I try to do all of my thinking and planning before I start the painting so that I am free to be more intuitive as I paint.  I also make sure I set aside time to experiment and play with my materials rather than always trying to paint something 'good'.  Sometimes I think I am wasting time and not being productive but these play session help keep the child in me alive.  So go play with your paints today and paint with the fearlessness of a child!

If you would like to learn more about the dusting technique for pastels read my blog post on Dusting HERE