Entering the online craft and art journalling world some years back has been an eye-opener.
Here are my impressions of watching both traditional and craft artists at work. This is not stating a preference for either because both types have something to teach:
Here are my impressions of watching both traditional and craft artists at work. This is not stating a preference for either because both types have something to teach:
| TRADITIONAL ARTISTS (PURIST WISDOM) big brushes, broad washes, big marks deliberate painting, leave stroke be "mud" colours not allowed black not allowed white not allowed, only the white of the paper mix browns (even though they're sold in shops) only paint light to dark "cauliflower" is unacceptable nothing on edge of work to lead the eye out soft watery colours (eg the UK light) | VS | CRAFT ARTISTS (BREAKING THE RULES) small brushes, short strokes, dabby marks cautious painting, go back into stroke "mud" colours make beautiful greys black allowed, creates lovely contrast and greys white allowed, creates opaque colour buy browns for individuality dark to light possible because white is used "cauliflower" is yummy to look at = nice clouds! use the edge for interest (cf Degas, Picasso, Matisse) bright strong colours (eg Australia) as well as soft |
I have a few bugbears though and will gladly note them here.
* I hate (yes, strong word but applicable here) the way artists WASTE PAINT! Ok, I'm not being precious here about using paint. However, I've seen artists frantically washing out their brushes when only ONE COLOUR is on the palette. Then they use the same colour again! Why wash out the brush if only one colour is used? Adding a little water to add flow and transparency is fine, but wash out all the colour only to use the same colour again? Ok enough now :D
* How people hold their brushes, pens. So uptight, restricting their view and their flow, although that is never mentioned in a video about freedom and self-expression!
* I hate (yes, strong word but applicable here) the way artists WASTE PAINT! Ok, I'm not being precious here about using paint. However, I've seen artists frantically washing out their brushes when only ONE COLOUR is on the palette. Then they use the same colour again! Why wash out the brush if only one colour is used? Adding a little water to add flow and transparency is fine, but wash out all the colour only to use the same colour again? Ok enough now :D
* How people hold their brushes, pens. So uptight, restricting their view and their flow, although that is never mentioned in a video about freedom and self-expression!
A "traditional" watercolour by me:
An art journalling piece by me:
