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tayete · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 1:32 am

Allright, let's face it: I suck at painting. I am trying to improve, but I find two main obstacles:
a) Impatience
b) I cannot see when something isn't allright.

I am trying to get better with a), but b) is what is really hard. I mean, when I draw anything then I may flip it either ways and notice what's bad. I may notice when something is boring, or even if some value is not totally correct.

But I cannot "see" when there is something that doesn't give the impression I want it to give. For example, I paint a fresh apple, and I think that my picture shows that (it is ok in values, drawing, etc...) and to me it looks like a fresh apple.
Then I ask my wife, and she says: "Wow, nice dry apple". Aaaaaarrrgghhhh! How can it be that "I see what I want to see"? The funny thing is that I can criticize others' paintings knowing what they failed in and what their flaws are, but I seem to be blind to my own pictures.

Is there a remedy for this, or must I survive with this all my live?
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sweetums · member Member # Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Posts: 236

Walk away from it for a day, then go back.
When you work hard on something, you are too involved, and your perception is too focused.
By coming back to a piece after a bit of time has passed, you look at it with "fresh" eyes, and can notice that the apple doesn't look as realistic as you thought the day before.

That is why artists are always encouraged to step back from their work regularly, to refresh their perception.
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Life is short. Expect nothing, enjoy everything.
That which does not kill you should make you wiser...

balistic · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 10:45 am

Also, flip the image horizontally back and forth as you work. This will help you spot errors in proportion and composition.
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skullmonkeys · member Member # Joined: 05 May 2004 Posts: 183

or upside down.
you can also put your ref upside down as well if you are using one. That will make you see the ref 'as it actually exists' or 'objectively'

If you don't quite understand what I mean then reading the book, "Drawing with the right side of the brain, by Betty Edwards" will explain it.

Greensun · Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2005 6:00 am

the impatience is easily handled with some practice..

as for the not-seeing thing... that's why many beginners post their art and ask for critisism, so that the experts can point out the flaws.. it helps if you note what style you were going for, so that they can use that as guidelines (so that you won't be all 'that was on purpose' afterwards)
if the experts tell you, you might begin to see it aswell.
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Telekon · junior member Member # Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 44

I think it helps to have a clear plan of your intentions before starting a project.Then observe the qualities found in the subject you're creating. Then do your homework as to how those qualites are created via your choice of medium. And remember, everyone will see something different no matter what technique you use. Experience is the best teacher. Wink

jinnseng · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 9:10 am

I take a lot of breaks. Usually about every 30-45 minutes of working on a piece, I take a 15 min break in between. My eyes get tired and I may want to rush something If I don't give them a break from looking at what i'm working on. Another thing that has helped me is to stand back, maybe 10-20ft away from your piece and really observe it. I look at it to see what I need to work on next, and if anything looks wrong to me. This should help you slow down, and possibly help with any impatience you may be feeling.