Loosening Up!

Written By Shirley Kirkcaldy

I get asked all the time how to loosen up a detailed painting style and in my expressive painting workshops I demonstrate techniques on how to move away from tight and detailed approaches. Not that there is anything wrong with that style of painting but if you want to paint more intuitively there are a few tips I would encourage you to try:

1. 🖌️  Larger size brushes

  • Why it works: Bigger brushes [and other tools] force broader strokes and reduce the temptation to paint detail too early on. I always say – start with a broom and end with a needle! In other words, resist the temptation to use smaller brushes until you are ready to resolve the final stages of a painting.

2. 🧪 Try Using Mixed Media

  • Why it works: New materials spark new ideas and break habitual patterns. Try introducing collage, acrylic inks, oil bars, graphite, dry pastel to take your work in a different direction. This always works for me if I get really stuck.

3. 🌗 Use Tonal Value

  • Why it works: Strong value contrast creates drama and structure without relying on detail. In my workshops I ask participants to paint a few exercise pieces using only black and white, this is a powerful way to understand how value impacts on a painting e.g. using it to create a focal point.

4. 🎨 Use Edges Creatively

  • Why it works: Edges are too often the forgotten hero of a painting and are such a powerful part of the narrative! [See my earlier post on Edges for more info].

o   Create contrast: Place hard edges near soft ones to make subjects pop.

o   Suggest Form: Use soft edges to round out shapes or imply volume.

o   Control Focus: Guide the viewer’s eye by sharpening edges in key areas and softening others.

o   Create Mood: Soft, blended edges evoke calm; hard edges can feel bold or dramatic.

5. 🎨 Limited Palette

  • Why it works: Using fewer colours can be a challenge but can also create more harmony and unity in a painting. Mixing your own colours using just a few really can add impact and helps you to understand colour properties and their effects. I always paint using a limited palette and would encourage you to give it a try.

Also take a look at one of my earlier posts on Texture which may help with loosening up.

 

Shirley Kirkcaldy https://www.shirleykirkcaldyart.com/
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