In yesterday’s email, I listed a few of my bad habits and tendencies that you should probably avoid. (If you missed it, you can read it here.)
I wanted to follow up and say that not all bad habits, kinks, and quirks in your technique and processes need to be ironed out. To some extent, it is these imperfections that make you unique as an artist.
For example, as I mentioned yesterday, I rarely clean my brushes between sessions. I just leave them in solvent. This may not be the best practice, but perhaps it leaves a distinct quality in my work and reflects me as an artist and how I like to work.
It may also be for my greater good. Less time cleaning means more time painting in the long run. If I had to clean up after every session, I may find myself leaning towards other activities.
Here’s another example. I tend to be quite impatient when it comes to things I have no interest in. If I spend too long on a painting, I’ll surely lose interest. But perhaps this forces me to simplify the subject and only focus on capturing the subject’s true essence.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that some bad habits, kinks, and quirks are not meant to be fixed. They may be what makes your work unique, have hidden benefits, or even be one of your strengths as an artist. The tricky part is determining which you should keep or just learn to live with and which you should try to iron out.
Also, the price goes back up for our 30-Day Creativity Kickstart tomorrow. It won’t take up much of your time, but the impact may be profound. I invite you to join us (we have already applied your discount code at the checkout):
Join the 30-Day Creativity Kickstart
Happy painting!
Dan Scott
Draw Paint Academy
PS. I’m almost done with a new painting. I’ll share it with you soon, along with any lessons learned.
