These little experimental paintings are exactly what I needed to get me out of my painting funk. I think I’ve also finally decided to embrace still lifes. I genuinely enjoy painting them as well as setting them up. The last few months have really been a struggle to get myself to paint and focusing on a more difficult subject matter like animals fueled my frustration. That’s not to say I’m going to give up on the animals, just that I may paint them more on the side instead of making them my main everyday focus.
I briefly mentioned it in my last post, but I think it bears repeating. Changing up surfaces is a really great way to refresh yourself when you’re feeling stuck with your paintings. Painting on bare aluminum is so far from painting on canvas that it’s refreshing. If you’re like me and really only like one medium (oils) then it can be hard to switch things up sometimes. I still try with watercolors occasionally, but I’m usually more frustrated than not with those results. The only other medium I can think of off the top of my head that I enjoy is pen and ink.
I’m contemplating participating in the Inktober challenge this year since I don’t draw enough with ink. I’m not sure exactly how it’s going to pan out yet, but I’m excited about it. One of my favorite ink drawings is one I did way back college of one of those life-size classroom skeletons. I never got the chance to finish this drawing, but I think that worked to my advantage. I don’t think it would have been as compelling as a “finished” piece. Is anyone else drawn to drawing skeletons? I could seriously draw them forever. They’re so beautiful.
So true about changing things up! That’s why I go from oils to watercolor then acrylics. The different surfaces and mediums keep me challenged😉. So glad to hear that you are getting back to painting. I have never heard of “Inktober” and look forward to seeing what you create.
Hey, thank you. You should look into inktober it’s pretty neat. Every day in October people do one ink drawing.
I really enjoyed this post because I can so relate! I love oils and rarely ever use any other medium now. Occasionally I dabble with watercolor, but the results are so awful it makes me cringe. At the moment I’ve sworn off watercolors completely! I go in and out of “artistic funks” and I’ve learned to focus on basics and “wait it out”. I know I’ll come through those funks as a better artist. And Inktober! Oh, yes. I originally hated pen and ink drawing, but I was challenged to try Inktober last year. I didn’t make it through the entire month, but I did actually have fun with a few pen and ink drawings. I actually looking forward to it this year. I do hope you’ll join the fun, too! As for painting on other surfaces…I’ve tried painting on cardboard, but that’s as far as I’ve gone. I haven’t even tried using thick gesso on my canvas yet. That’s on my to-do list. Maybe I’ll be adventuresome and try a different surface. Sorry to ramble on like this, but as I said, I can really relate to your post. Experimenting with our art, trying new things, and reclaiming the joy of art is so important when we have those “down” days. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I think we can agree. Watercolor is hard! 🙂 I think I’m definitely going to do the inktober challenge. The more I think about it the more excited I get about it. I’ll keep an eye out for your drawings. I would definitely experiment with gesso. You can do multiple thin layer and sand it down to get a really smooth surface or put it on thickly for a textured surface. I’ve never painted on cardboard, but I imagine it’s a decent practice surface. You can also paint on gessoed paper, masonite panels, wood panels, and metal, so you have lots of options to switch it up on your next “down” painting day. Thank you for reading and commenting. It’s good to know I’m not alone in my struggles. 🙂