AMANDA BRETT WATERCOLOUR ARTIST
  • Watercolour News
  • SHOP New Original Paintings
    • SHOP Heart Air Balloons
    • Shop Fine Art Prints
  • Tuition
    • Watercolour Magic on Youtube
    • FAQs
    • Video Lessons
    • PaintBox Tips featured posts
    • Feedback & Photos
    • For Beginners
    • Plein Air Supplies
    • NEW!! Weekly Watercolour Classes
  • Home
    • Contact
    • About Me >
      • More About Me & Watercolour
      • What I See
      • Studio
      • Italy 2023
  • Join My Insider's List
Picture

PaintBox Tip #18 Paint YOUR Painting

26/1/2022

3 Comments

 
PictureBait & Ice Thames NZ
Many of my students and fellow painters ask me "how did I get from this to that?"

When I’m out painting en plein air (or in my studio), once I have my idea and have taken a “mental snapshot”, I rarely refer back to the scene. I focus more on what my painting needs rather than creating a replica of a scene.

The same for studio painting, especially from photographs (and when on location); the scene and your photo are merely your inspiration - your idea must come first.

​The same for studio painting, especially from photographs (and when on location); the scene and your photo are merely your inspiration - your idea must come first. 

Faithfully producing a scene, en plein air or from photos suggests the painter has to find the perfect scene. Yes there are plenty of perfect scenes but can you find them when you want them? probably not - jolly annoying.

The serious painter has to make do with what is in front of them - we have to make a silk purse from a sow's ear. 

The point of this blog post is to remind ourselves to be not so precious about painting every little detail, every little nuance - paint your idea, turn away from your subject - stop looking and just paint - enjoy the process of painting the flower or the picket fence - focus on your painting!! if you have a photograph, turn it over, paint your painting and use your artist's license!!

My painting Bait & Ice (Thames NZ) has won many awards and is not very much like the scene itself. Comments from collector's all say "this is just how I remember it!"

ciao cari pittori!!

Picture

Weekly Classes - Auckland NZ Start Feb 8, 2022, JOIN NOW!!
​

Workshops for your Group

​

Get my PaintBox Tips straight to your inbox every week

* indicates required

3 Comments
Tex Hooper link
31/8/2022 11:50:19

I like what you said about getting inspiration first before the paint. I need to get a new coat of paint applied to my house. I'll have to order the paint after looking at samples.

Reply
Jan Leitch
19/11/2024 08:20:39

I enjoy your tips every week. This one I have already learned and it helps very much to work with what the first wash gives you rather than the reference. Thank you.

Reply
Susan Court
26/3/2025 19:50:00

Hi Amanda, I’ve just reread your blog and you said the same to me on Tuesday. Tomorrow I’m going to continue the Essex’s St painting without reference. Thank you.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    PaintBox Tips, secrets, random thoughts,
    scribblings & doodlings on art, my life as an artist who teaches, writes, travels, muses and paints!

    Picture
    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
    Picture
    There are no mistakes in watercolour, just some extra surprises!!
    Amanda Brett

    Categories

    All
    Beginners
    Brushes
    Brush Miles
    Care
    Colour
    Colour Mixing
    Composition
    Conquering Fear
    Design
    Doodling
    En Plein Air
    Excitement
    Finishing
    Idea Generator
    Ideas
    Immersion
    Inspiration
    JOURNEY
    Learn
    Paint
    Palette
    Perfect
    Photos
    Pigments
    Planning
    Play
    PROCESS
    Procrastination
    Professional
    Realism
    Resources
    Secret
    Sketch
    Sketchbook
    Style
    Subject Selection
    Transparent
    Voice
    Watercolour Paper
    Wet In Wet
    Wet-in-wet

    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

    February 2025
    January 2025
    July 2023
    June 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022

    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.

Amanda Brett - Watercolour Artist

​
Shop    |     Events & Shows     |      About Me       |     Classes     |      Paintbox Tips    |     Subscribe      |    Contact
​
Copyright © 2022 All images and text on Amanda's blog and website are 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.
Quality Guarantee: All my watercolours are painted with only modern professional grade watercolour paints on Museum exhibition grade watercolour papers, they are extremely lightfast and will become a family heirloom and passed down to subsequent generations. ALL art of ANY medium should be hung away from direct sunlight. If​properly cared for, watercolour paintings will last as long, if not longer, than oil paintings. I only paint on 100% cotton rag paper, mostly Arches and Fabriano, and frame to conservation standard with acid free materials.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Watercolour Painting Holiday Workshop
Lucca Italy May 2024, read more and book online

Watercolour Magic with Amanda on Youtube

Video Lessons
​
Watercolour Weekly Classes
Auckland New Zealand

Beginners One Day Watercolour Workshops 
Auckland New Zealand
​
​​View all workshops and classes
  • Watercolour News
  • SHOP New Original Paintings
    • SHOP Heart Air Balloons
    • Shop Fine Art Prints
  • Tuition
    • Watercolour Magic on Youtube
    • FAQs
    • Video Lessons
    • PaintBox Tips featured posts
    • Feedback & Photos
    • For Beginners
    • Plein Air Supplies
    • NEW!! Weekly Watercolour Classes
  • Home
    • Contact
    • About Me >
      • More About Me & Watercolour
      • What I See
      • Studio
      • Italy 2023
  • Join My Insider's List