You are probably wondering what the heck I am talking about when I say your go-to painting. Let me explain... I use this term about a painting, or a subject matter or a style that you as an artist can pretty much do with your eyes closed. It is that painting that you can do with ease and probably have done numerous times.
It can be a type of
painting or a particular style or medium you are known for painting.
Now you are probably wondering why is this important for you to know and what can you do with this go-to painting. These last two weeks I have brought up this go-to painting subject with a number of students because they needed to get back to painting a go-to painting. Again the definition is a go-to painting is a painting or subject matter or style that you can paint with ease and usually don't even
need a reference photo for. Here are the reasons I brought up to these students why they needed to do a go-to painting:
- Demonstrating in front of an audience:
One student was going to be demonstrating in front of a group of people and was worried they can't paint a good painting in front of a group, this student had never done this before. This is an excellent time to paint a go-to painting because you know exactly how to paint this subject matter and the people watching
will be amazed at your ability and it will also help you to not worry about doing a good painting in front of people.
- Teaching in a classroom
I have always told my students the best way to learn something is to teach it. And when you teach others you first have to know how to do what you are teaching and a go-to painting is one you know how to do so is definitely something you can start teaching students to paint.
- Getting back to painting when you haven't painted in a
while
This happens to a lot of my students that may stop painting for a month because of other obligations.
The best way to get back into painting is to start with your go-to painting and then move on to other paintings once you are back in the swing of things.
- Using a new medium or art material
Testing a new brush or paper or medium is a great time to paint a go-to painting because you can focus your thoughts on the materials and how they are handling and not worry
about your subject matter or painting style.
- When you are stumped and don't know what to paint or doodle
Have you ever had painters block and just keep on flipping through all your reference materials and nothing seems to inspire you, this is a great time to paint or doodle a go-to painting and that can usually inspire other works too follow.
There are probably many other reasons and ways to use your go-to paintings and if you think of some, drop me a line
I would love to hear what you do with your go-to painting.
Then one day when you get really good at painting, most all of your paintings will be a go-to painting!
