Yesterday, I watched a documentary by artist Jeremy Mann titled A Solitary Mann. It gives you insight into Mann’s work process and life as an artist. It goes for 45 minutes but I recommend you set aside some time to watch it in full if you can. I found it quite inspirational. So much so that I had to pause 10 minutes in to pick up a brush and jump into a new painting. Perhaps it will have the same effect on you.
What struck me most was the sheer effort and energy that he puts into the preparation and planning of his work. He travels, hires models to pose, stages scenes, takes photos, edits them to reflect his vision, applies a grid to help with the drawing, and maps out key edges on the surface. Only after all this does he start painting.
There’s often a misconception that great artists effortlessly create their paintings plein air, relying only on their superior judgment and observation. But that’s not always the case. A vast majority of the master artists I write about are meticulous in their study and preparation and they go to great lengths to milk every little advantage they can. By the time it comes to paint the subject, that’s when the effortlessness comes out. All that preparation allows them to paint freely.
If you’re finding that your work is not hitting the mark lately, then perhaps slow down and spend a bit more time on everything that happens before you pick up a brush. Exploring ideas, taking reference photos, thinking, preparing. Make it so that by the time it comes to paint, there’s nothing standing between you and the strokes you’re making on the surface.
Also, we have rolled back the price on Composition Breakdown for subscribers. You can join here if interested.
Happy painting!
Dan Scott
Draw Paint Academy
