Midtones

Process, ,

I’ve been thinking about the importance of midtones lately; how when I analyze what I love about a painting, it is often the beautiful can’t-be-named midtones. Midtones are a favorite topic of mine.


gerber daisies in blue bottle, 6×8″, oil painting on panel. This painting is currently at auction. Click here to bid.

As painters, we know the importance of values, and I won’t pretend to have it all figured out. My own approach is to simplify, to limit, to push the values into groups. But it’s all relative, and the midtones in each painting will be different from … Read more ...

Nothing to lose: taking risks when painting

Process, Risk, Theory, , ,

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about taking risks when painting. In fact, risk-taking has become an integral part of my process. I will wipe out, paint over, glaze, scumble, and do whatever it takes to get at what I’m trying to communicate in a painting. I take risks to grow as a painter and to push past hurdles. Sometimes I ruin a painting in the process, but if the painting was mediocre or unresolved, then I didn’t lose anything.

He has nothing,
thus has nothing to lose.

-Lao tzu, Tao te ching
  • Before
  • (in progress) After taking some
… Read more ...

Begin without beginning – an intuitive painting process

Process, Theory, , , , , , ,
oil painting of pink rose in crystal bud vase
quiet light

When I paint, I “begin without beginning.” Another way to say it is to “begin without knowing.” This approach is opposite of the advice to “begin with the end in mind,” or to know where you’re going before you start. I’ve found that this organic, intuitive painting process suits me better than pre-planning every step. I try not to focus too much on the outcome of a painting session.

An artifact, not a painting

Let me explain. This means that I don’t usually actively try to produce a “painting” when I paint, though a painting is the result. … Read more ...

An intuitive voice

Intuition in painting, ,

Intuition plays a big part in my painting. Often when I paint, I don’t plan the composition in advance; I jump in, start, and listen for cues along the way. I observe what’s around me and respond, trying not to overthink.

My intuition even lets me know when a painting is finished – or at least when I should take a break.

This signal comes in the form of a fluttery butterfly feeling in the part of my body that I now know is the sacral chakra. Only this morning did I identify it as this. Until now, I haven’t … Read more ...