"Guidelines" by Skip Lawrence

Artist Skip Lawrence offers some Guidelines for finding a more personally expressive, creative, and sincere way to paint. From the Palette Magazine.

Your search for making more personally expressive paintings begins with your being aware. Be aware of everything that comes your way and take note of those experiences (whether they are visual, intellectual, emotional, or physical) that you find most interesting, appealing, or thought provoking. Do not be drawn to a subject because it reminds you of the work of another person; your painting will be based on someone else's inspiration and it will show.

You must be specific about what interests you in the subject you've chosen. Simply being aware of what you like will not help you with the direction of your painting. It is not enough to say, "I love the boats in the harbor." What exactly do you love about the boats in the harbor? Is it the visual activity, the smell of the sea, the sounds of the bells and lapping water, the rhythm of the dancing masts? Ask yourself, "What can I say about this subject that will make it mine? What personal quality can I bring to it? How many paintings have been done of this subject before and why should I do another?" Your focus may be an emotional response such as a feeling of calm, agitation, or fear. You may focus on an atmospheric condition such as foggy, sunny, windy, etc. You might even feel compelled to share your social or political views. But most importantly, whatever you chose should be determined before you begin painting.

If you have done your work, this next part should be fun. Think of the painting process as going on vacation. You have decided on your destination and have only to decide your route. You may take some side trips, but your destination is clear. Remember, there are many routes to a place, but if you know exactly where you are going you will eventually get there. You must draw from the elements of art those, and only those, devices that convey your idea. If, for example, your intentions are to portray calm, choose the colors, lines, shapes, and directions that best express that quality. It is at this point that you decide on space division, dominance, and technique. The HOW is now in order.

Having "finished the process," it is now time for you to be a cold-hearted, analytical observer of your own efforts. It is not enough to have produced a well-designed, competently executed painting. The big question you must ask is, "Does this painting say what I wanted it to say?" If not, you must make changes or begin again! Once you have achieved your goal, consider the framing. Find the best (not the least expensive) frame you can use to present and share your honest and sincere efforts in the most beautiful way. ?