It seems to me that a painting of an urban scene must have a people or two. A painting is just not finished without.
just like a rural scene might need a cow/goat/sheep - some life! the problem is they must be credible, they must be drawn and painted well - if not ... well ... lets not go there! so how to start? start by drawing, get lots of photos of people walking/standing and drill them down to basic shapes - geometry! I can't tell you how many pages of people drawings I have done - page after page after page, then I do more pages and pages and pages. In other words you can't draw them too much. i found this online years ago: think of these three basic shapes U W O U - turn upside down, it becomes a torso W - legs O - head once you've done lots of practice getting the ratios right (length of leg to body, size of head etc) you will naturally start to loosen up, let them merge, make a crowd etc. relax your hand and let your hand/eye coordination work for you. Keep your pencil marks light, fluid, gestural and lyrical (only use sharpened "B" pencils). Avoid erasing pencil marks see my youtube video on this subject, let me know how you get on 
0 Comments
 sigh!!!
bit of a sod but we're not all good at everything
as usual, most of my new students are reluctant to draw I mean super reluctant i dont know if they can't or think they can't draw. I can sort of understand it now that i have my own disability. Some of it is attention-seeking, a battle of wills which i am unlikely to waste class time on, I'm there to teach everyone. a man came up to my teaching group and made jokes about what id drawn to show my students. i was so angry i actually told him to shove off. I'm so embarrassed by my inability to draw and write to my pre-stoke level. it is deeply humiliating and frustrating. the only way forward is to practice in private, keep it small, the size that is right for you. I say small because small drawings are quicker, quicker results and quicker gains. it takes focus and determination, but like me, you'll get better and better. we'll do it together. learn from all the good tutors you can find. be proud of small gains. good luck to us both!! ciao ciao cari amici xx 
In a way I admire artists who pump out their work prolifically. On the other hand, I don’t admire this “skill”. The problem is lack of development. You’d think there would be a high rate of creative development but this seems rarely the case. The artist has to be so focussed on output that development is the last concern.
The artist must “art” everyday but they must also work on their art, just like working on your business as well as working in it – subject, style, technique, design, composition etc. A dear friend had the most amazing success in her painting career until one morning she woke and realised she was bored. She had a huge following all making demands which left my friend with no time for fooling around/experimenting/exploring. She had become a machine. When this happens we are so far behind the 8 ball we have a huge drop-off of income until we find the new thing and push it beyond the experimentation stage – this can take years. Daily “arting” should also include an element of experimentation – “what if?” what if I tried a new subject?, what if I changed up my process?, what if I improved my skill?, what if I tried a new palette?, what if I tried a different medium/materials?, what if … what if … what if … Reflection and evaluation must also be included in our daily process. Without an element of curiosity in our practice, our work might stagnate and the way forward might not show itself immediately. non fermi!!
|
AuthorPaintBox Tips, secrets, random thoughts, 
Poetry in watercolour is made in the freedom of the here and now. Amanda Brett Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working - Pablo Picasso 
There are no mistakes in watercolour, just some extra surprises!! Categories
All
What my readers and viewers have to say
Your emails are so informative! I must confess I've watched a couple of your demos from beginning to end, and it makes me want to watercolor!!! I've only ever painted with oil or acrylics and haven't know how to begin with WC. Your content is excellent!
Susan VN Hi Amanda
Thank you for your tips. They inspired me to practise and I realised I haven’t been loading the brush properly. I learnt about adding more paint, and not water, to washes. In today’s tips I like the idea of painting with purpose. Your tips are very helpful. I very much appreciate receiving them. Elizabeth Hi Amanda I enjoyed your post and generous tips. Looked up Dan Burt I begin to see that you can colour any subject to give it pizazz so long as the tone and form is correct Certainly adding value now to my attempts Thanks heaps Annie
Yes very wise words. Agree with not fussing and agree with comments about good quality paint. Well written and inspirational as always. Cheers Janet xxxx Archives
May 2026
Copyright © 2022 All images and text on Amanda's blog and website are the the legal property of Amanda Brett and may not be reproduced without express permission from Amanda Brett or her authorised agent. Thank you for respecting her art and the livelihood of all artists.
|
