Welcome back to the “How To Paint A…” series! After a long hiatus, I am making/documenting/writing short tutorials on how to paint different things.

random marks

This week, I offer an example of “How To” break through Painter’s Block.

I started with a random blobbing of black paint of varying thicknesses, then saw a floral shape. I painted it in loosely in white.

The best way to cure a fear of flying is to fly. The best way to break through Painter’s Block is to paint. If you just start with something, you can turn it into anything.

I didn’t like the strong black line anymore, so I scuzzled over it with white.

I enjoy painting random things, just patterns and flowers and stripes and stuff. There is nothing wrong with this: painting itself is steeped in concept. You don’t have to have a Big Grande Overriding IDEA to start. Don’t be afraid.

I used the white paint to dash in some vertical stripes. I had watered it down and used the brush lightly to obtain both transparency and texture.

If you do like to make Big Idea Art… you can think of these random little paintings as studies, or as imagination-sessions. This is a good exercise for your mind, heart, hands and eyes.

sorting out a bit more of the composition with some “doodles”. Even though I don’t particularly like these “doodles”, I know I can always paint them over afterwards…

As I mention in the photo above, it is important to feel free and empowered as you paint. If you do something you don’t like, just paint it over. The end result will be richer and more interesting anyhow.

Painting in some black over those goofy-doodles…

I like to work back-and-forth as I go. From one tone to the next, from one colour to the next… back and forth…

I finished up when I worked in a bit of white again. I decided to let this dry. I could paint in some more detail, or colour, or not. I think it is done as it is. Maybe I will just sign it now…

Natasha Henderson, Montreal