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gallery of
~Imagination~
STYLE
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Grade School Art Class Field Trip to Wannabe Art Studio
Here are a few compositions just to show that it's not WHAT you paint as much as HOW you paint it! And HOW you paint it is called "Style". It is always good to examine other artists' work. It is not good to try to copy their style!
BE YOURSELF!
Your own painting style evolves with time and hard work. An art instructor said to me, "Don't change your style! I can recognize your paintings even if they are mixed with a hundred others." After seven years of working and learning and exhibiting, his comment came alongside my first award. And this was the first inkling that I had developed a "style" of painting! Tip: Don't fret, STYLE HAPPENS! We paint because we HAVE to paint. It's an attempt to express ourselves and we learn the language from each attempt!
I actually started experimenting with pastels by painting apples. Here are a few, below. I know, you immediately sigh, An apple is an apple, round in shape, red in color. WRONG! Tip: Learn to look at what you're painting. Observe those angles of that apple that you assumed was "round"! See how many shades of reds and yellows and... with the spotlight focused, see exactly where the highlight strikes! Paint them from every direction and under different lighting direction. Remember, you are learning to handle pastels!
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I believe it can be an interesting learning experience to work in a series. For several months I was on the TEA THEME kick. Very popular subject with all the tea collectors out there! I painted fifteen different tea theme paintings. Here are a couple.
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Life Is Fragile, Handle With Prayer © By Mary Beatty
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We Need One Another © By Mary Beatty
Then I chose to paint DOLLS. I made the dolls and their clothes in the two lower paintings, got the notion they might just enjoy posing for me! Best Friends, below, was awarded honors at a State juried exhibit.
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All Dolled Up © By Mary Beatty
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Best Friends © By Mary Beatty
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Amish Dolls © By Mary Beatty
Next came the STUFFED ANIMALS. Charming and challenging to paint! This experience launched my series of twelve Lion and Lamb paintings.
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Work Hard Rest Easy © By Mary Beatty
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Apple of His Eye © By Mary Beatty
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Going Fishing © By Mary Beatty
These painting sessions outlasted three goldfish! See my light direction, very important when you set up your still life! Tip: Every painting needs a center of interest! In Going Fishing, above, I adjusted my spotlight until the little bear's face was highlighted. Now squint again. Lightest light next to the darkest dark. There's the center of interest!
KEEP THOSE CREATIVE EYES OPEN,
KEEP PAINTING,
AND STYLE WILL HAPPEN!
Background Music: memphisblues.mid
Midi Arr. by Tommy Flint, Sequenced by Jim Stark
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