For some reason, my readership includes a surprisingly large group of engineers and doctors looking to take up painting.
Almost all of them have the same question: How do I relax my painting style?
They typically have surgical drawing precision and a keen eye for detail by virtue of their professions. But this often comes at the expense of having relaxed, painterly brushwork.
Painting is tricky like that. Intellect can only take you so far. You also need a dash of intuition, instinct, and creativity. That’s the yin and yang of painting.
My recommendation to them (and any other professionals in a similar position):
Don’t shy away from your strengths. If your profession has gifted you surgical precision, embrace that strength. You are already ahead in terms of drawing and accuracy. Use that as the foundation of your artwork. Then, if you want to push a looser, more relaxed style, do so on a smaller scale. Try some painterly brushwork in the foreground or background. Do a few quick sketches. Go a size up with your brushes.
When you start painting, you aren’t a blank slate. You have already developed strengths that will favor you in certain areas of art.
Happy painting!
Dan Scott
drawpaintacademy.com