Whenever I offer tips to fellow artists I'm aware that a tip may be valuable to one person and a poison pill to another. Lately, on the speaking circuit, I've been giving a little talk I call, "Two dozen tips for painterly happiness and success." I start by suggesting that we all need to be our own tipsters and some of my so-called tips may not be for everyone. Nevertheless, I have a copy of my current batch printed out to hand around after the event. We've posted this tip-sheet at the top of the current clickback. If you go there, you're on your own.
Curiously, when following other tip-givers who also go from club to club, I often find the eager tip-takers have taken down some wonderfully contradictory tips. Typical is "Before starting, draw your composition carefully," and "Do not draw--go directly to composing with patches of colour and tone." Such are the hazards of tipstering.
That being said, here are three tips you may not have heard before:
1. Rather than go with your first choice in a composition, go with your second choice. Your first is likely to be in your comfort zone, but it is your second choice that will stretch your capabilities and expose new creativity. How to do this? Slowly rotate yourself in a full circle, taking every possibility into consideration. Sort out and at least anticipate the potentials of every angle before you start.
2. Pause frequently during the production of your work and reconsider your options. The simple business of strategizing and thinking ahead can save you a lot of downstream angst. If you find yourself too far into your end-game and not in good shape, courageously strike out an over-rendered passage. This audacious act often frees you up for further improvement.
3. Regularly refill your "Patience Bucket." While fresh, energetic, speedy brushing can be desirable, there is often a time to slow down and let things evolve with a more deliberate, tender and measured stroking. A work-in-progress can be your confederate friend. Let him gently speak to you and don't be socially embarrassed if you gently answer back. Your half-realized friend secretly wants to help you win big.
I should wind this up with one of my all time best tips: "You are your own best tipster."
Best regards,
Robert
Esoterica: In the "Zingers" section on page 947 of my book The Twice-Weekly Letters are two consecutive items. Ralph wrote, "I like it because you don't give pat little recipes like some other instructors." Then Phyllis wrote, "I really appreciate all the little tips from time to time." Then there's Henry's contribution on page 943: "Stick to tips, Robert, we are tired of your philosophizing all the time. There is no room for philosophy in this business." I love it when people give me tips.
Read this letter online and share your personal tips. Live comments are welcome. Direct, illustratable comments can be made at
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