Enjoy life now... it has an expiration date.



Friday, May 21, 2010

Window in Watercolor and Good Mistakes


Still playing with watercolor...

A watercolor sketch I started yesterday and finished today. I can't decide if I like this or not. It didn't translate onto paper the way I had it pictured in my mind. I was thinking a little brighter/stronger colors, less fussy. But it was a good learning experience. I'm learning what I'm doing wrong and paying attention so that, next time, I can get a little closer to where I want to be.

In a conversation with Laure a couple of days ago we were talking about the feeling that every time you sit down to make art it has to come out perfect... or at least very good. We discussed how unrealistic that expectation is, and how it discourages instead of encourages us to make art. So I decided I'd see how many mistakes I could make- not deliberately, of course! - but just giving myself permission to turn out a less-than-perfect end result and room to experiment. If the experiment fails... so what? I have more paper and paint! So, I figure the more mistakes I make, the more I learn and the better artist I'll become. Bring on the Good Mistakes!

11 comments:

Laure Ferlita said...

Lovely sketch by the way! Since I don't know what was in your head, I LIKE it!!

Laure Ferlita said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that attitude!!! Bring on the learning! I've recently been doing some reading on teach art and the teacher maintains there are NO mistakes, only degrees of like and dislike coupled with how strongly you desire to change something or not. That it is not necessary nor helpful to label something as right or wrong, good or bad....

Food for thought!

Kathy A. Johnson said...

Nice sketch, even though it didn't come out as you pictured it in your mind. (That happens to me all the time!) Often we learn more from making mistakes than from doing it "right" the first time.

Claire M said...

I'm still learning the same thing - to not expect perfection. Laure is really terrific in encouraging that. That is also behind her suggestion of the '100 Paintings' in a year challenge that several of us signed up for -- just put a bunch of your stuff out there over the year (not really analyzing it) and then sit back and view it as a group and see where you've come from and where you are.

Take time to "play" and see what happens!

I think this is a delightful page with just a suggestion here and a suggestion there. It is a different style and leaves a bit more to the imagination -- giving the viewer a little more to do. Quite fun.

"JeanneG" said...

Looks like you had more fun today than I did. The painting I mean. Not the gardening.

ArtistUnplugged said...

WOW!!! It may have not matched your vision but it still is a beautiful vision!!!! I'm right there with you on the mistake making!

r garriott said...

Your WC sketch has a lovely charm... I enjoy the spare way you've captured the vining leaves.

Keith said...

Mistakes are essential, they surprise and challenge you. It's how you learn. I would rather a piece with a thousand vibrant mistakes that one of dead perfection. Just imagine if you knew exactly how something was going to turn out before you started. Then what would be the point ?

Booklinks said...

Maybe your watercolour didn’t turn out the way you had it in mind,
but I really like it very much!
I am just the same, I have the whole picture in mind and then it turned out
so very differend (most of the time I get lost in too many details)
But you are right…There is always more paper!

knittingdragonflies said...

I feel the same about yarn, I hesitate to cast on because I'm searching for that "perfect" pattern for it. Then I have to remind myself, "it's just yarn", go ahead and play.
I love the window!
Vicki

K said...

Teresa, great attitude! That must mean that all of us are going to be fabulous artists! yay!

By the way, I can't resist paintings of windows, doors, etc. Love yours!

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