LESSON #9 - Pen and Ink Washes

[Martina]

Seems that everybody fights his own dragons. Thank you Brian for your post! 

Obviously it is human nature to focus on the bad things and the mistakes even if there are many more good things. But it is really worth it to concentrate on the positive aspects. 

My sister in law and her two sons are musicians. Nobody would ever expect a musician to be good or much less to be perfect without practicing.

My key to lock up the dragon in the cave is to enjoy practicing.
In this spirit, I wish you all happy 

[Rkymtnmary]

The late musician, Harry Chapin, known for his storytelling in music, had a song called "Mr. Tanner" which can be easily seen on youtube and as always is the case with music being the universal language, this song's message could have been written for us all....

"But music was his life; it was not his livelihood
And it made him feel so happy and it made him feel so good;
And he sang from his heart and he sang from his soul;
He did not know how well he sang, he only heard the flaws.........."

[erika]

oh great posts in this thread - thanks Brian and everyone..

Teaching piano for 30 years I also had to fend off the gremlins.. concentrating on fixing the 'mistakes' and losing the focus.  I had to remind myself all the time that we "play" piano - and we "practice" to get it right.  How wonderful if we can enjoy the music at the same time!

For making art I've given myself permission to make all the 'mistakes' in the world and still love the process  - it's like a ritual 

[dennis]

How wonderful if we can enjoy the music at the same time!

How true!  I always tell all of my students that they are allowed to make mistakes. This takes away the fear of making mistakes. No one is perfect - we ALL make mistakes.

Sometimes mistakes turn out to be "happy accidents"  Whatever happens on the paper, remember it is just paper and paint - not silver with gold-leaf overlays  Whatever happens - have fun 

[Rkymtnmary]

Dennis - speaking for myself, I can validate for you that it truly did make a world of difference hearing this from you...it took a bit to sink in after years of telling myself I couldn't even paint my name but each time I look at a "mistake," I don't throw it out quite as fast as I used to.  I'm in the middle of just such an endeavor that was an inch away from the garbage bin but I've been able to rescue it barely because of things you've said and taught.  I don't think it's truly redeemable and I may yet toss it but my point is that your words and philosophy really have made a huge impact on how I think.  Thank you! 

[Val]

How wonderful if we can enjoy the music at the same time!

How true!  I always tell all of my students that they are allowed to make mistakes. This takes away the fear of making mistakes. No one is perfect - we ALL make mistakes.

Sometimes mistakes turn out to be "happy accidents"  Whatever happens on the paper, remember it is just paper and paint - not silver with gold-leaf overlays  Whatever happens - have fun 

I am living testament to aforesaid statement. I don't deny it...I embrace it. If it were not for my "MANY" mistakes on this artistic journey of mine, I should never have found Dennis and Nolan, who through lack of better judgement are endeavouring to make an acceptable artiste out of me.  I wish them luck. 

[Martina]

I thought about the reason for all this fear to make mistakes...

I think one reason is the time spend at school. The experience of being corrected for every mistake is still lasting. You can't paint, you have no gift to draw, your pronounciation of that word is wrong and so on. No wonder...
I decided, my time at school is long long ago and I can feel free to make as many mistakes as I want to. YES!

Let's paint and

  - it's like a ritual 

[dennis]

Please DON"T throw away your ruined paintings 

I've just added to my TO DO list the following: "How to rescue a ruined painting"

Sometime in the near future (May) I will show you what you can do to the old paintings you are thinking of throwing away. I have some very good ideas. 

[Rkymtnmary]

I promise.  I won't...

[dennis]

 

[NHC50]

Don't throw away are bad paintings!!!  Oh no It is to late. I used them to start a fire.    It is too late for them I can't get them back.   
At least they served a purpose. they kept me warm. 
Nina

[Lillian]

Dennis, I'm really looking forward to that!   

[Val]

I've got a pretty good UFO collection....so...no more paper airplanes 

[eftpower1]

At last!!

The pen and ink wash I call

 "IF the tabaco company had picked ME in stead a Joe Whatshis name!!!! They would be making Millions, I say, Millions!!!"

Drum roll,  trumpet fan fare, Curtains parting.....

Details

Dennis makes the  background washes look so E-Z !  But I get to try again today with the magnolia   

Hope to get caught up here on the form later this week
Regards to all
Brian

[C.Bodine]

Brian, I am very impressed with your painting! I think it is your best, so far! Very good!