Ben Bauer shares his perspective on what is the most crucial part of a painting, which may also be most difficult and fun; and more, in this guest blog post.
By Ben Bauer
(www.benbauerfineart.com)
Paintings usually start from an idea that is sparked by just about anything. Once I have a solid mindset of the idea, I source my reference material — notes, photos, on-location studies, research. I find that working an idea from photo and study references is where it mends into its own creation, pushing creativity levels more each time.
I usually work with a personal standard set of surface sizes and materials. I prefer 16×18,19×21, 22×24, 24×26, 30×34, 30×36 — it seems a bit unorthodox, but the proportions are more geared to my compositional intuition. For me, it has become the appreciated, unexplainable sense of how to orchestrate the idea. I usually work on hand-mounted oil-primed linens.
Once I am committed and the painting idea is ready, I start with a toned surface, usually using a sienna ochre or raw umber. For me, mark making for compositional elements is the most difficult and fun part of the painting — ultimately the most crucial; it sets the parameters of the original concept.
I usually handle the paint pretty straightforwardly, with a thinner drying medium, at first nailing down values and overall color temperature; and I start things with thicker paint and establish the overall scene.
Once this is done, I use a painting knife/spatula to scrape all excess paint off, thus leaving the paint “stain” and a base for the next session.
When this is tacky (usually the next day), I go over the first base with a fresher eye and direction. This is where relationships start, and the painting starts to embark on its own journey — to me the most intriguing part. This is where the painting starts talking to me, where and when things happen, the next level begins. This is ultimately where a painting can take off and work itself to the “almost finished” stage. To me this is a point where it (as I call it) “marinates” for a while unseen.
As I have progressed in my career, I find things working out on their own and moving forward to a meaningful end. But not always. As all other artists know, it’s part of the process. I never get discouraged by this; it’s where I grow the most.
Letting oil paint and its unpredictable nature or temperament guide me is a newer found element of painting I am interested in. Questions that I ask myself when working are: Thin or how thick? Do I let the canvas show? Do I leave edges broken? Do I add or subtract from the original idea? How do I create a sense of place with style, technique, and overall mood or tone? Once I have exceeded my original expectations and the painting works on a formal element level and is visually appealing, I end it, and the curiosities and challenges are solved.
Most of all, these images are part of me; they are who I am. I am longingly trying to define my mantra, but it’s hard to define, and strangely enough I like it undefined. I feel that if I define my artistic directions or what ultimately drives me, I fear I defeat its purpose. I have an incurable curiosity of ideas and instinct to paint, thus letting the paint and ideas work themselves out. I honestly believe this part of my life lets me be aware of a more beautiful world.
What questions do you ask yourself when starting a painting? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
I always chose the off centered location for the main subject in my paintings. I paint in the Watercolor Medium, so I work fast and very loose to get my base colors on the paper. Often I work so fast that I need to stop for several.minutes to allow drying time before I start building my succession layers of paint. I try to always leave some of the white and underpainting show for added interest and freshness to my work. As I build my painting I use smaller and then the smallest brushes last for the most important details. Sometimes I will use a clean wet brush to scrub out areas that need a paper hue or a suggestion of detail such as a white birch, or a rope etc. White ink is my preference to white paint. The ink I use is acrylic so I can tone it with watercolor paint to give me the off white often needed foe a reflection etc. Scratching is done frequently too to Express reflections or thin objects with light on them.