My Painting Project

Principle 3 from 21 Principles 

by Richard G Scott

(see August 2013 blog posts for more info on principle 3)

DAY 2:

So I didn't post 'day 1' because I wasn't that happy with it yet, but now it is coming along.  I have watercolored a lot, but oil is really different.  Day 1 was all wet on wet and trying to figure out how to work with opaque paint.  All of my technique for watercolor went out the door.  Day 2: I did some glazing and blocked the hands.  I had an easier time with the wet today and the glazing is just like watercolor!  hurray!  I know what I'm doing.  Maybe I can figure this out.  Still need to block in the flower, do detail on the hair and eyes and do some more glazing.  This is just a practice piece before I try the one in my mind that I really want to do.  This is a picture I took of Rachel, my daughter, when she was 2 years old.

Day 3:

While talking on the phone the other night I finished the flower and started to work on the hair on the right hand side.  I quit because I need a smaller liner brush and something to thin the paint a bit.  Plus it's hard to paint above the wet flower.  I need to let it dry fro several days now.

Day 4:

More work on the hair and glazing on the face and chest. Softening the hands and dress.  It needs more dry time before I can finish the glazing.  This has been fun/ frustrating.  The perfectionist in me wants it to be perfect right now, but I know that I have lots and lots of future hours to put in so I can learn all of the things I need to.  Thanks so much to my awesome teacher!

Principle 3: Creativity

Principle 3

Creativity

Reach new goals by doing things you have never before done

Creativity allows us to see things in a new way.

We can enhance our ability to think creatively by engaging in pursuits that are different from our normal activities.

Elder Scott relays his experience learning to watercolor.  It was something he was drawn to and wanted to try, but he felt unequal to the task.  Despite his fears, he got books on the subject, tried, took lessons, studied and practiced more.

Things learned during the process:

1. The initial feeling of accomplishment encouraged him to read more and try harder.  
2. Much can be accomplished with an understanding of basic principles.
3. Objective criticism became an appreciated source of growth
4. Every individual had creative capacity- it is the result of being children of the Ultimate Creator
5. The satisfaction and growth creativity generates is intended for each of us

Benefits to the Creative Process: