Artists: Improvise, Adapt and Overcome

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Artists: Improvise, Adapt and Overcome

If you know any Marines, you may have heard them talk about “Improvise, Adapt and Overcome.” This is a common thread in Marine training that helps them to secure what they need during the chaos of combat.

While I am not trying to say that artists are in the same league as those who dutifully serve our wonderful country, there are things artists can learn and use from Marine training.

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The Painting of "The Light Within"

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The Painting of "The Light Within"

I absolutely love this color combination! I haven’t used it for a long time, so I thought to myself, get those warm colors out and have some fun. This piece is painted on 36x36 gallery wrapped linen.

This painting uses an analogous color combination of red-violet, red, red-orange, orange and yellow-orange. Okay and probably yellow too - don’t judge me if I don’t follow all the “rules.”

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Focus on Those Who Love Your Art

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Focus on Those Who Love Your Art

I have students say to me quite often, “I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t love my art.” My response is to focus on those who do like your art, and not those who don’t. There is no one thing anywhere in life that you can get a 100% consensus on in a large group of people. It just isn’t going to happen. Like lots of stuff in art, you have to be OK with that, and just move on.

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The Painting of Sunburst 4

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The Painting of Sunburst 4

While this video was filmed several years ago, I enjoyed the process - and I hope you enjoy watching. I am painting with a simple complementary color combination of red-orange (dominant) and blue-green (accent), on 22x30 gessoed 300 lb Fabriano Artistico Watercolor Paper.

Here are the Golden Heavy Body Acrylic Paint colors I used:

  • Quinacridone Magenta

  • Pyrrole Orange

  • Benzimidazalone Yellow Light

  • Diarylide Yellow

  • Minty G (my custom mixture)

  • Titanium White

Non-Golden Paint:

  • Australian Blue Gum by Matisse Paint

I tried to keep the colors simple, with very little mixing needed on the palette. As I often do, I begin putting in my dark value shape (straight Quinacridone Magenta) followed by some middle value orange. In this painting, I am trying to get some shapes and values on the surface before i place my centers of interest (accent color). Once I determine the placement, I strike those in using the Australian Blue Gum first, followed by the Minty G.

With my accents firmly in place, the rest of the painting process is simply filling in middle and light middle value color with my dominant color (red-orange). I adjust shapes, values and edges as I paint. It’s an intuitive process for me that I really don’t think about as I paint.

Once my accents pop, and I am satisfied with my shapes and values, the painting is complete. I don’t overwork. To me an overworked painting looks tired and even dead. I like to keep the painting as fresh and alive as possible.

If you’re interested in a great online course to learn All About Color, then Click Here for More Information.

If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)

As always, thanks for your support!

David

Simple Color System Colorwheel

If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.

You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.

ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. Now On Sale for $50 Off!

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Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. Now On Sale for $100 Off!
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The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!

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