Now I know so much better! I don't use a sketchbook nearly as much as I could, but I find myself turning to it more frequently to plan out a painting I have simmering in my head. It's especially useful for landscapes, where small edits to the composition can have a big impact on the finished piece. I've come a long way to learning that the planning doesn't squash spontaneous creativity; just the opposite! When I've worked out composition and value issues ahead of time, I'm freer to make palette decisions in the moment, freer to respond to the piece as it’s developing.
Here’s a recent plan I put together for the next piece I’ve got in the queue. A rough thumbnail, a separate grid in the same aspect ratio as the mounted support, plus a list of visual elements to consider. Organizing my thoughts was really helpful. I’m a deliberate person, so it only makes sense to let myself be deliberate in my work. |