How to never run out of ideas—intuitive painting!
One of the most daunting things is stepping up to that blank, white canvas and not having an inkling of what you want to create. I have a little secret. I never have any ideas before touching my brush to the canvas, but that doesn’t stop me from creating. If anything, it makes it easier.
Back when I planned my work I would fuss and worry about what I was going to do, how I was going to approach the piece, and whether it would turn out the way I had imagined. I would spend countless hours taking photos, uploading them to some creative software, and fandangoing them into something I could work with—and that was only the beginning!
Then there was the drawing, either freehand or with a grid system, the underpainting, and then adding color. If I had made any mistakes in form or style in the initial stage it was a nightmare to try and correct without starting all over! It was draining, and quite frankly, it only drained my creativity.
With a more free-flowing approach to painting all that unnecessary planning and worry is skipped. I just start painting and let the paint tell me what it wants to create, not the other way around. You may think it sounds lazy, but I prefer to think of it as an easygoing free spirit kind of way of doing things. I don’t like too much structure, at least not in my art—or much else in my life.
I’ve also noticed that with intuitive painting (at least at the onset) I find I’m creating more art than ever before. I’m not hung up on wondering if I’m doing it correctly or using the proper method. I’m just painting, moving the globs of color around until it shows me what it wants to be. I love that. I guess I write in the same way, I don’t block out each chapter with an outline, I just write. The characters will tell me what they want to do and say, I’m just here to take notes, like a conduit.
Maybe you’re like me and you rebel against conformity and want to do everything your way. Maybe you like to go with the flow and if you overthink what you’re trying to do you end up not doing anything. You freeze. Terrified that you might somehow make a mistake. The amazing thing is, that paint is a lot more forgiving than you imagined.
Close up of the collage in progress
Do you know what else is forgiving? Collage! Once I have my base colors down and the vision of what wants to be created emerges, I begin the process of collage. I rip and tear, cut and paste. It’s like being back in the first grade again, and it’s very liberating. Again, I have no well-thought-out plan, no grand design in my head, I just add color and texture where it seems to need it. I keep working the canvas, layer upon layer just like with the acrylic paint until the vision becomes clear. Sometimes I think the real trick is to know what to stop. You can overwork or underwork a canvas, but the more you create this way, the more you will learn to trust your instincts.
Step back and view your work. Take breaks. Let it completely dry between layers so that the color of the paper you’ve applied has a chance to show itself clearly. It’s a process. Don’t rush it. Let it unfold. I also find that when you’re just starting, don’t try to paint too small. Intuitive painting needs room to move. Your body needs to be able to move around the canvas, the paper needs space to show itself to the best advantage. I would say if you’re just starting, try not to go smaller than 20 x 20 canvas, or even better yet, 18 x 24. (That’s a nice-sized watercolor paper.) .) Once you are comfortable with the process, if you want to work smaller by all means try it out. Experimentation is what art is all about.
Next time you find yourself staring at a blank canvas and stuck for something to create, let your analytical mind take the back seat and let your creativity loose behind the wheel. Light a candle. Put on your favorite music. Stretch. Now grab the first color you see and streak it across that white field. Move your body. Swing to the music and enjoy yourself. Add more colors, step back, and see what’s trying to speak to you. Build on that, and keep building. Before you know it you’ll have filled your canvas with the first layer. Let it dry. Watch it as you walk from room to room. See what’s working and where it needs more. Learn to trust your gut, and stop worrying about the right method or the end product.
I promise you won’t be disappointed.
