Nothing says summer like a straw hat! The Whitmore Lake Portrait Group recently met at a member's home for our summer party, and a new young model posed for us at the pool outside. I was delayed, and by the time I arrived, it looked like what started as fun for her had turned to resignation, and that's what I tried to capture in this charcoal and pastel portrait.
That is my art tip for the day--when you begin an art piece, think of ONE word that describes your goal and then work to achieve it. It may be beauty, soft, hard, fuzzy, happy, sad, alone...whatever word you want. I like to grab the first impression I have when I see a face, even if it's someone I have portrayed before. This works just as well with a still life or a landscape or an abstract. Then keep that one word in mind as you work to the end, and don't lose it. That word will come through at the end if you followed your word throughout the process.
Just as important is to eliminate those things that don't express your word. It's easy to get sidetracked. And you may have to cheat to express your word...exaggerate a facial expression or change a shadow in some way. That's OK and that's where your own style and vision comes in. Besides, if you keep that ONE word in mind, it crowds out all the other words, and maybe the self-criticism that artists struggle against. Messed up a stroke? Don't beat yourself up; just go back to your one word and fix it to help say that word. You will have a greater chance of achieving your goal.
For now, think of one word that says summer to you, and doodle it, paint it, photograph it or just say it to do later! Now, repeat, repeat, repeat...