In class we did three 20-minute paintings. We used common objects to create simple studies. (painting from life instead of pictures is important) Use a small piece of paper, 5 x 7 or 7 x 10 unless you are using a very large brush. Here are the rules:
1. Get all of your supplies together and get your paints wet and ready to paint before timing yourself.
2. Arrange objects to paint.
3. You have 20 minutes to paint, including your drawing time.
4. Self-critique. What could you have done differently? What would you like to try?
I think of this as PLAN, PAINT, EVALUATE
Tips: Focus on the most important shapes first. You won't have time for a lot of detail.
Try looking at the negative instead of the positive shape.
Try to have your drawing touch on 3 sides of the paper.
Leave tiny white spaces between colors unless you want them to bleed together.
On your next painting CHANGE something. You can choose to paint something else or paint the same object, but change either your color scheme (or just use 2 colors), your paint brush (from round to flat, from small to large, etc), use different paper, or paint the negative instead of the positive.
Again:Plan, Paint 20 minutes, evaluate what you like, what you might change.
So, what is the point?
First, it's non-threatening. Nobody expects to create a masterpiece in 20 minutes, so you are free to experiment and play. Second, it gets you in the "groove," ready to paint, like an athlete warms up before a game. Third, you have only 20 minutes to make major decisions about shapes, colors, etc. That is great training for your brain. And fourth, you can pretty much squeeze 20 minutes into almost any day. The more you pick up that brush, the better you will get.
To see some of my 20-minute paintings, look at the Feb 5, 2010 post. Some are pretty unimpressive. Except for the one the dog ate.
a loose flower done in 20 minutes.
Comments from the class: "I started looking more than painting." "Looking at negative shapes helps with perspective."
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