Robert Saueressig - Painting advice

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

Learn the basics first. Do a lot of drawing, drawing, and more drawing. I can’t emphasize that enough. To paint before knowing how to draw, is like attempting to run before knowing how to walk.

Robert Saueressig - Making mistakes

Do you ever have goof ups or work you don’t like?

Sure I do. I learn from my mistakes.

Robert Saueressig - How long to get a painting?

How long does it take you to get an average creation?

About a week, at 3 hours or more each day. I have done some in as little as a few hours, while others are getting “tweaked” for several months.

Painter Robert Saueressig - technique

What is your technique?

Most of my work is done in acrylic paints, with a combination of brush work and palette knife, on board or canvas. My field sketches are done in oil pastels.

Painter Paula Jones - mistakes

Do you ever have goof ups or work you don’t like?

Of course - all artists do. If someone says that they don't, they would be lying!

Aritst Paula Jones - How long to finish a painting?

How long does it take you to get an average painting?

I am a very fast painter - but it takes a while to get "ready" to paint.... Generally it will take me an hour or so. But, you have to realize that in order to be able to be able to paint that fast, there were many many many hours of goof ups...

Aritst Paula Jones - How do you decide what to paint?

How do you decide what to paint?

If I am having problems decided what to paint, I do a variety of things - visit a farm, go for a walk, look at pictures on my computer, visit galleries....wait to be inspired. There is a story about Monet...he was sitting in his garden - the gardener asked him " are you just resting?" His answer, "no, I am working". The next day - the same scenario - The gardener said "so you are working?" His answer "no, I am just resting" I never know where it comes from, it just does.

Jo Lynch - painting advice

What advice to you have for aspiring artists?

I once read in a drawing book that you have to draw every day, everything you see, and this will continue your skill and growth as an artist. I believe it is true, and I'm guilty of NOT doing enough of the daily drawing. I think this helps creativity along with skill. They meant draw EVERYTHING. The junk under your kitchen sink, whatever is on the table, what you see in front of you anywhere, anytime. Draw every day to get better. If you can't draw well, then your paintings will not be good. I also believe interacting with other artists is also very helpful to becoming a better artist, and one needs to learn to listen to criticism. Skip's critique's were brutal, but I feel I learned more from what he said than anywhere else. Later a group of us that had taken art with Skip formed our own group, meeting once a week to paint on location. We painted, then we critiqued our own art. I think this is a valuable tool for artists also... Be open to new ideas, be open to other artists and art forms.

Picture credit: "Horse of Many Colors", watercolor on paper

Click here to learn more about this horse painting

Jo Lynch - Do you have paintings you don't like?

Do you ever have goof ups or work you don’t like?

All the time. I've torn up more art work than I own and will continue to do so. I also have loads of artwork that I'm not satisfied with but I keep thinking one day, I'll go back and work on this or that. I'm sure this is common with most artists.

Skip, the art teacher I mentioned before told us we have to paint 100 paintings to get one we like. I believe he is correct. It took a long time before I had one keeper. My husband named my first painting that I liked "48 and 1/2 cents" as that's what he said he would pay for it. We keep it still. :) A wonderful memory, my color breakthrough.

Picture credit: Jo Lynch painting plein air, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia

Jo Lynch - How do you decide what to paint?

How do you decide what to paint?

I am blessed in that I can paint whatever I choose, and I decide simply by what appeals to me, or how I feel on a certain day. I have no commitment to anyone but myself, so I am rich in the fact that I can paint what I desire. I usually do not feel interested in painting the same subject more than once or twice a year. If I paint a sea turtle, then I no longer have that desire for a while, but look for something entirely different. I currently live in Florida and have been interested in our sea life and wild life here as it was new to me. Sea Turtles, Manatees, Pelicans, Dolphins and other Florida wildlife have interested me these last years along with dogs, cats, birds, and can you say most living creatures... :) I also love large flower shapes, buildings and even landscapes. I don't seem to do much with the buildings and landscapes anymore, but if I could paint 24/7, then I'm sure they'd be a part of my choices.

Photo credit: Jo painting on the streets of France

Jo Lynch - Where did you learn your painting technique?

Where did you learn your technique?

I would say Skip Lawrence was the basis of my looser technique. Before I met him, I tended to paint in a tighter dryer style. He and subsequent artists opened me up to the freedom that things don't have to be the color you see, and trees don't have to have every leaf on them to look like a tree. I took painting workshops and also learned similar ideas from other wonderful artists. Each had input that was very valuable to me. One must be open to new ideas

Friday's art article - How to paint abstracts

Ever wanted to try painting? Ever wanted to try painting in an abstract style? This brief article on about.com explains How to Paint Abstract Paintings from a Photo. The tutorial starts with a picture of flowers and shows readers several techniques on how to create an abstract painting from the photographic image.

Interview with Kevin Webster - Advice to artists

What advice to you have for aspiring artists?

Practice everyday. Paint something everyday, even if it is a small painting, to hone your skills.

Photo credit: "Red Ears", oil on masonite panel

Click here to learn more about this beef cattle painting

Interview with Kevin Webster - Do you make mistakes?

Do you ever have goof ups or work you don’t like?

Yes. I even have a collection called the Kevin Webster unfinished art gallery.

Interview with Kevin Webster - How much time to finish a painting?

How long does it take you to get an average creation?

It all depends on the composition. Most of my time is spent in creating the right composition. Once that is done I can paint a small piece in 2 or 3 hours, medium sized works about 1 or 2 days and a larger painting can take up to 40 hours.

Interview with Kevin Webster - Where did you learn your technique?

Where did you learn your technique?

Practice, experimentation and studying the styles and techniques of other artists.

Q & A with Wendy Marquis Part 9

Do you ever have goof ups or work you don’t like?

Oh definitely. I just repainted a new painting over an old one that I was not happy with.

Picture credit: Wendy in the back of one of her vintage trucks with her two dogs.

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 6

How do you decide what to paint?

I take my camera everywhere, leaving it in the car. Our farm is ten minutes away from the local towns. If the lighting is good and I pass animal herds I stop to photograph them. If a photo grabs my fancy and inspires me, I will paint it.

Picture credit: Some of the animals that live on Donna's farm in Ontario.

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 5

Why do you paint?

My favorite pastime is photographing animals, planning a painting then executing the project. I love to paint in the evening when the business of farm life has calmed down. I put on music, usually classical, and paint away. Bliss!

Picture credit: Donna's painting area in her art studio

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 2

What is your technique?

I love realism. The more realistic the better. Abstract I don’t get.

I start with a great photo, build my composition, draw on tracing paper, transfer to Fabriano 300 lb watercolor paper. I then do a test sheet to figure out the colors I will use making sure to use the minimum number of colors to maximize color consistency then paint until I am satisfied the painting is finished.

Picture credit: "Billy Goat", watercolor on paper

Click here to learn more about this goat painting