How I start a Blank Canvas: My Approach to a Theme (Part One)

First Stage - canvas, 89 x 79 cm

I stretched my canvas on Thursday, applied two coats of Gesso and let it dry overnight. If I was working with oil paint I would leave the Gesso for a week or more to be sure it was dry but I have never had any problems working with a water based paint such as acrylic the day after priming a canvas.

The photo above shows the first stage of my painting when I brushed in large areas of colours freely. The theme is one of loss; something everyone can relate to anywhere in the world, whether it is a small loss or something life changing. I took as a starting point some plants on my patio and the title of the painting is 'Vestiges of Things that have Gone.' As I cover the canvas I allow forms to emerge through the textures and layers of fluid paint. I wanted this theme to include the process of forms being erased or worked over. I have used calligraphy brushes, house painting brushes and acrylic brushes.

Stage 2

This second stage is where things became really complex very fast as I let my hand move to its own rhythm inserting shapes that felt relevant. I work fairly fast and the problem is that the image can become too complicated but I don't allow myself to worry about this ; it is better to have too much so you can tweak and erase parts than to have too little. Most times my work is a case of trial and error and finally getting into a real mess - and then things start to come together. This can take a few days or sometimes months! I find it very productive to work on two or three paintings of the same theme to allow ideas to bounce between them and this is what I may do.

Since taking this photo I made a few changes to the painting and will post more photos soon. Generally my work can pass through many stages and sometimes I realise afterwards that an earlier stage was better but this is all part of the learning process. My feeling at this point is that I will definitely make another two paintings on this theme which may help me to bring some simplification into this canvas (or not), and to extend the theme and paint ideas. 

To be continued.

How I Begin a Painting: Some Tips and Ideas

'Chinese Landscape,' acrylic and ink on canvas, 80 x 40 cm

How do you begin a painting? As an artist I'm always curious to know how other artists approach a blank canvas; do they have a specific idea of the composition and image they want to paint or is the theme and approach flexible? It seems to me that this doorway into a painting is something that many artists find through trial and error though some have a clear path from college as to the kind of painting they feel an affinity with. Some of my art college friends like to work from sketches made in the landscape or from photos, or directly from the figure, and with a clear, figurative approach. Some other friends start from the paint and the idea or image evolves through their relationship with colours and shapes as they emerge. Some need to make numerous sketches to plan out a composition in advance and then draw in the elements before they begin to paint. Others may start from a line in a poem or memory, or work out abstract compositions in drawings before touching a paint brush. 

One thing is for sure; you never stop learning! I follow artists whose approach varied throughout their life as their need for particular elements broadened and changed or more questions about the nature of painting appeared along their journey. I think this is true of all artists though especially with abstract artists there is a need to follow a path to discover the language and poetry of paint. The more you paint, the more its potential speaks to you.

The posted painting shows one of my approaches. This was painted to commission so the brief was fairly specific but still allowed me room to improvise, which is one of the aspects of painting that I enjoy. The client said: it must fit with my Chinese cabinet (which was quite ornate); it should feature Chinese elements; animals and houses would be nice. Then we agreed on mountains and waterfalls. The great thing with digital technology and smart phones in particular is that you can send photos of the painting as you progress, and she was happy with all stages from the start. 

Though I was working to a brief I began the painting as I begin most of my work, with thin layers of colour and fluid paint in order to find shadowy forms that could then take life. I like to let the paint suggest imagery though I don't always work that way; sometimes I have a specific memory I want to translate  - painting, for me, is always my translation of the world around me - and I may have an idea of the kind of composition I need. Over time, certain elements (shape, colour, brush strokes) may take priority and this influences how the painting looks.

I love those early washes and marks but often they have to disappear under stronger more meaningful elements for the image to have clarity. I worked this painting in the same way I work with ink on rice paper; it had to have a certain spontaneity while also suggesting a sense of moving upwards (and downwards) and I liked the idea of a yellow sky - yellow in China conveys the idea of royalty or something special - and the tree on the top peak was painted as a feature to stop the viewer's eye.

In my next post I will be adding photos of a new work in progress to give an idea of how I begin a new painting. This will be painted from the title 'Vestiges of Things That Have Gone.' I don't often start from a title (most times I title the painting once it is finished though there may be a particular theme), but I have a pressing reason for this painting which I will write about next time.

There's no right or wrong, your approach is whatever allows you to convey your idea. Any artists reading this, feel free to leave comments on how you face a blank canvas.

Unfortunately Sometimes Other Things Get in the Way of Creativity!

'Landscape Poem,' acrylic and oil on canvas, 65 x 55 cm

I chose this painting to start my first post of 2019 because it relates to my delay in starting painting this year due to do other commitments. This painting is partly inspired by my small patio garden and also seems suggest a spilling over into landscape as an idea of the connectivity of all things. It is from a few years ago but has elements which I may take forward to themes I wish to explore this year.

Since the beginning of 2019 I have had to reduce the number of plants on my patio, partly due to certain plants becoming too big and needing to be put into the ground and partly due to not having so much time to maintain the garden (I plan to make more large paintings this year). I have been able to relocate some; my brother took some and the local park will take the large plants such as the Hydrangeas and Rose of Sharon and plants that need more root space. It's another kind of loss which has suggested a painting in my mind.

I have also done no painting this year because I have had to reorganize the entire flat due to paintings taking up a lot of floor space. On top of that, for some months I had put off the emotional job of clearing my late mother's bedroom. I felt totally unable to touch a single item in there; I would look in the door and become tearful. But I began by moving a few things before Christmas and yesterday I felt ready to tackle larger items. I know she would have been cheering me on because she would have liked the idea of her room being my studio.

'Fiona's World,' acrylic on canvas, 40 x 30 cm

My mother lived with us for 16 years so her presence is missed but suddenly I felt able to start to break the 'structures' her bedroom represented and to throw things. I have moved some shelving into her room and will be buying some large shelving units to store my canvases on. The positive aspect of this is that it will allow me to archive, label and assess work, and also organise the work I want to be ready for exhibitions. Shelving will also make better use of space! I will post photos of my new studio soon.

My new stretchers arrived yesterday while I was shifting furniture in Mum's bedroom. New work will be started next week and will be posted soon. 

View of my patio garden, summer 2016

I loved my garden with its wild abundance and random structures but hopefully I can keep the same vibe and dazzling colour with less work and my favourite flowering plants will be in bloom this summer. My Clematis especially are much loved and belonged to my late father.

Wishing you all a great New Year!