I want to be like those painters who paint directly onto the canvas without sketching first. But I’m not.
My method is slower, more methodical.
I always start with a drawing, then transfer it to the canvas, then paint.
And if it’s a morning drawing session, I always, always have a coffee!
Do you ever watch Devon Rodriguez, the trending Tiktoker who draws people on the NYC subway? My favorite part of his videos is when he hands the drawing to the person. Often they cry. Why is that?
I have a few theories…
Surprise. I think we go through our days expecting little in the way of attention and affirmation. To see yourself created in a piece of art is ninja level validation, and it triggers the tear ducts.
Depth is another theory. Words only express so much. At some point we have to sing, or jump, or write poetry, or cry. When something hits us in those tender places in our hearts, tears appear.
And lastly, beauty. Beauty gets us every time. It’s visceral, emotional, overwhelming.
That’s why I love a teary response when I hand over a commissioned piece of art. It tells me that my small efforts of capturing on the canvas the worth of a person has possibly paid off. My prayer is that beauty and affirmation will always be part of the portrait painting process.
Covid-19 reared it’s ugly head in March, just ahead of the 70th birthday party we had planned for my Dad. So, we waited. Until August. We thought, at the time, that we had ‘flattened the curve’ and all was well. In reality, we just had a small window of time to enjoy a belated birthday picnic in the backyard before the next wave hit. I’m so thankful we did.
It was a great day. Dad is worth celebrating and 70 is a big deal. We ate and laughed and reminisced and took pictures.
This painting is based off of one of those pictures. It brings me joy. He brings me joy. Backyard picnics with people I love bring me joy. And painting portraits brings me joy.
Can anyone tell me what’s wrong with this picture?
The painting is of Gomer, one of my favorite historical figures. I love how this painting turned out and the way the colors jump on the canvas in the sunlight. But, I am breaking an important rule.
‘Don’t place your oil painting in direct sunlight!’
An original piece of art is an investment. It’s personal, deeply meaningful, and costs a dollar or two more than Hobby Lobby art. Therefore, it’s important that we care for our art properly so that we can enjoy it for many years to come and even pass it on to the next generation.
One of the most important ‘Art Care Rules’ is to never hang a piece in direct sunlight. As beautiful as it looks, all shimmery in the glow, it will ruin the painting. The piece of art that once penetrated our heart and soul with it’s color, glow, intensity, and beauty will end up a faded, dull remnant of what it used to be.
So, don’t follow my example in the photo above! Instead, hang your painting in a well-lit room away from direct sunlight. And all will be well.
