Monday Motivator: Subject Isn’t the Most Important Part of a Painting

Monday Motivator Inspirational Art Quote

“If the subject matter were the most important part of a painting, then you would no longer need to paint.

“… everything under the sun has already been painted. The humble holly tree is not itself important, but how your perceptions are used to interpret those impressions through paint is what matters most.”
Suzanne Brooker, “Elements of Landscape Oil Painting”, p10

Worry Focus less about what you’re painting and more on how you’re painting it.

James Gurney (of Dinotopia fame) is a great inspiration with this, turning the everyday into art. See for example his snow pile behind a supermarket, parking lot entrance ramp, a road sign and a utility/phone pole. His skill at this is also a bit demotivating; just remember he has many, many miles under his brush.

Dancing a line with a brush

One Reply to “Monday Motivator: Subject Isn’t the Most Important Part of a Painting”

  1. I agree. I have so many students who, when I take them out into the field, lament, “I just don’t see anything I can ‘connect’ with.” I tell them to focus more on the lesson for the day, and just pick something, anything. More often than not, they fall in love with whatever random subject they choose.

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