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While painting for the past 30+ years, I’ve learned a few things about myself and art.
1. I prefer transparent watercolors to all other media because they are challenging, spontaneous, and full of surprises (good and bad) that demand your constant attention and willingness to adapt. Watercolor is an adventure, a dance with a free spirit where the artist relies on pigments suspended in concentrations of water applied to paper in various states of dampness.
2. I love the act of painting, but I resent most associated administrative/promotional tasks.
3. I was very fortunate to have supported my family as an aerospace engineer. I probably would have died from ulcers trying to earn a living as an artist. Therefore, I have incredible respect for those professionally committed to art.
4. I enjoy helping others, from children to seniors, grow in their skills and appreciation of art.
5. I believe nature, and the arts (visual and performing) are the treasures of life.
6. After decades of watercolor painting, I’ve gotten descent while developing my own style. And now, after learning from many mistakes and poor choices, I feel comfortable discussing “what makes a good painting?”
Walking through an art venue passing hundreds of paintings, a good painting is the one that catches my eye, sparks an emotion ….then gains my full attention. It draws me and others in for closer studies. It will not draw everyone since we all have different interests. A representational painting of a harbor, for example, will have far greater chance of getting my attention than abstract splashes of paint. But even the abstract, when well executed, may draw me in to study the composition and artist’s skill.
Independent of category or style, what constitutes a good painting? In short, it’s the composition, originality, mood/feeling, skill, excitement and lasting impression.
Composition - A good composition captures, then guides the viewer through an artwork. It begins with one or more focal points, then entices the viewer to study the entire painting through symmetry, contrast, and perspective. For instance, some foreground objects or lines may be sharp, dark, and well-defined leaving background objects soft, light, and unresolved challenging the viewer to define it for themselves. Composition establishes a sense of order while creating a vision or message.
Originality - Good painters have the confidence to push boundaries and challenge conventions. It is that combination of skill, attitude, and creativity that produces fresh insights into common human experiences.
Mood/feeling - A good painting will stir a feeling such as tranquility, mystique, anxiety, fun, love, or excitement. It will inspire the viewer to form a personal interpretation and recall related memories.
Skill - Even the most abstract painting should, upon close examination, reveal the artist’s command of the medium and associated techniques through brushwork, layering, color mixing/blending, control of light, shadow, edges, etc. The elements of design (i.e. color, value, line, shape, form, texture, and space) are addressed with confidence. The skilled artist knows when to refine and when to enjoy spontaneity.
Excitement and lasting impression - It is difficult to leave a good painting. It will be remembered and deliberated. And a great painting will retain relevance to future generations and cultures even as trends of style and taste change.
What makes a good painting can’t be measured by rules, formulas, or fashions. A good painting is the balance of discipline and emotion, skill and spontaneity, control and freedom.
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