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ENG101Mark SummersProf. David Evans

November 13, 2009

Process Paper Painting Your Masterpiece

It was 1968, and I looked on with admiration as a fellow student in Mrs. Paynes

Third Grade Class drew a picture of a horse. From that descriptive moment, I was

captured by the possibilities of artistic creation.

My initial endeavors to reproduce likenesses on paper were rough and simplistic.

More often than not, these initial attempts frustrated rather than sated my creative

appetite. Nevertheless, my attentions could not be dissuaded, continuing to draw and

paint. Slowly, I began to gain recognition for my artistic skills among my third grade

peers. In time, my fame as an artist spread throughout my little country school.

As a budding artist, practiced skills improved and I soon discovered that

it was essential to introduce new creative methods in order to keep the artistic juices

flowing.

From an early age, I learned it was unwise to ask my parents for unnecessarythings, so I did not mention the oil paints I wanted so desperately. Motivated by my

new desire, I immediately began collecting glass soda bottles that had been discarded by

travelers of the country roads near our farm. For several weeks, I walked uncounted

miles along winding roads, armed with a gunny sack, hunting for my prey of 7-Up,

Yoo-hoo, Pepsi-Cola, RC, Nehi, and Coca Cola. After cleaning my catch of glass

lucre, I was able to redeem enough bottles to purchase the Genuine Oil Paint Artist Set

that had caught my eye at the Five and Dime store.

Though I was an avid reader, I had never been the type that willingly read

instructions; I would much rather jump in and learn through trial and error. Looking

back, I wonder how differently my art would have progressed had someone captured my

attention by challenging me to imagine the end result of my art. Perhaps with guided

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instruction, I would have learned to temper my painting, solidifying my perception of the

artistic process.

Given the opportunity to assist a young artist, I would offer my interpretation

in regard to painting a masterpiece; my advice would pre-empt color wheels, perspective,and shading technique. As a beginning artist, you should endeavor to learn those details,

but what I offer could change the way you paint forever.

Before applying the first brushstroke to the canvas, I recommend spending time

pondering the emotion you want to express, rather than the image you want to paint. A

true artist elicits a reaction from the observers of his or her art. As an artist, keep in

mind that when people want a picture of something they simply take a photograph. A

painting masterpiece conjures emotions and feelings and will reveal itself as part of the

observer. Think of it this way, you know the warm feelings you get when you smell

your favorite cookies baking? One whiff and you are taken to another time, place or

atmosphere. Your response is both physical and emotional.

Once you have interpreted the atmosphere of your painting, envision the

textures and colors that comply with that environment. Dont feel restricted to depict

reality; this is a common mistake. While it is true that the sky is blue and grass is green,

an artist is not confined to portray those colors in his painting. It is possible that the

impression you are translating has goldenrod skies and indigo fields.

Colors, like aromas, impress themselves upon our memory and imprint upon our

souls the textures of feeling and emotions, like comfort and fear, warmth and

acceptance, regret and solitude. The human mind is a complex and multifaceted prism

touched by pattern, repetition, curves and lines. Rather than being revealed in detail,

perhaps, your painting needs only to imply form or shape. Just because you can paint a perfect rose, does not mean that you should. If the motive of your painting is to reveal

loss or regret, perhaps it would be appropriate to paint a fading rose laid aside a bowl of

fresh perfect roses.

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Once you have determined the color and texture of your portrayal, you need to

discern size. Size really does matter, for the emotional impact, not for the reality of the

subject. Choosing the right size canvas is critical in maintaining the atmosphere of your

art.You might think this recommendation backward, putting the emotion of the

painting ahead of the physical subject or properly mixing and applying the paints. But I

am convinced if you practice my recommended procedure and first explore the feeling of

your art, the images will reveal themselves. Undoubtedly, you will be amazed at how

lifelike, memorable, and haunting your creations can be.

It would be improper of me to not encourage the practice of your techniques, but

if you have the talent and artistic nature required to create art, you only need to learn the

lesson of letting go of boundaries and pre-determined expectations. Paint with the

purpose of expressing emotion and abandon.

When you are ready to release your vision, load your brush with the fragrant oil of

life and the vibrant or dark tint of emotion; stoke the canvas revealing the common

secrets and textured recesses of the soul. Then and only then will you breathe life into

your creation. As seekers gaze upon your paintings, their hearts will inhale the aroma of

your expression, and, touched by the emotion of your painting, they will stand in awe of a

true masterpiece.

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