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How to Loosen Up Your Painting Style

April 2010

Be Spontaneous, be Intuitive, and Just Let Go. Hey, we all have distractions, but we should not let them into our heads while we paint. Close the studio door, send the kids out with your spouse or to grandma's, TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE (unfortunately this is unheard of for some of you), clear your head, turn on your favorite music and just let yourself get totally absorbed in the work. Lots of times I dance to the music while I paint. It helps put me in another place, a place where there is nothing but me and the canvas and the paint. It keeps me loose. Spontaneity comes from the heart - it is real, it is you, it will show up in your painting unlike that of anyone else. Allow yourself to be spontaneous and use your intuition.

Paint Fast. Not only does this help you produce more work - which is critical if you are in multiple galleries and your work is selling - it helps turn off your analytical mind so you rely on your intuition. This approach of course takes a lot of trust in yourself and your abilities as an artist. Learn to trust your instincts. Once you get to a point where you think you are nearly finished, then you can analyze the painting to see if there need to be changes made before it is totally complete - but don't allow this to happen too soon in the process.

Be Fearless. DON'T FEAR FAILURE! If you aren't failing you aren't learning anything. Failures are learning experiences, nothing more. Some of my canvases have three or four paintings on them. I go through acres of paper and canvas; I use gallons of paint; I move forward; I don't stop; I'm not afraid.