Rhik Samadder tries ... mindful painting: 'It dawns on me that I'm a very talented artist'

[abqtommy]

from The Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/aug/02/rhik-samadder-tries-mindful-painting-it-dawns-on-me-that-im-a-very-talented-artist

"Keen to unlock your inner creativity? De-stress and unwind? Or merely improve the quality of the gifts you make for friends? Step right this way (...)

Have you ever forgotten to buy a loved one a birthday present? Here’s a tip. Get a card, then draw a picture inside of you giving them the gift you intend to buy them later. It’s a charming IOU, impossible to resent. I’m not the best at hands or faces, so the result often resembles demons in hell, spearing each other, which isn’t what everyone wants to see on their birthday. Particularly when you later forget to buy the present. To rescue an otherwise flawless system, I’ve come to an alfresco painting class to hone my dark art.

MasterPeace Studios promises to unlock anyone’s inner creativity. To prove it, those in charge tell me to choose a personal photograph I’d like to paint. I select a photo of my friend Amish Tom, at a recent pizza party we threw. In the picture, he’s rolling dough with his elegant fingers, sunlight striking his face. He’s extremely photogenic, which I don’t mind. But is he painting-genic? Why is there no word for this?

Zena El Farra, my instructor, plugs my phone into a light box, projecting the photo on to a canvas. It’s a nifty tool, letting me lightly trace an initial outline in pencil. Next, she shows me how to prime the canvas, meaning wash it with colour, using a cellulose sponge. (A plain white background is why many amateur paintings have a childish look.)"

All my life I've admired artists who create landscapes and portraits and this is a good introduction
(for me) of the process that results in this. There is much more text and photos at the above link
that I hope everyone will enjoy as much as I have.

[GPV]

1. I've hardly painted this summer. Perfectionism gets me all wound up.

[Sanity Claws]

2. I just started

and have found sketching, drawing, and water colors to be so helpful to me. While doing them, I am focused and mindful. It brings me peace and a sense of accomplishment.
I may never say that I am great or even good but you don't have to be good at something to enjoy it and get something out of it.

[Chainfire]

3. I will be painting when the weather cools down, however

I will be buying paint in five gallon buckets and using a 4" brush.

I discovered, at an early age, that I was not observant enough to be an artist, or a musician, as much as I would have liked to have the talent. My hat is off to those who can express themselves through art.

[abqtommy]

4. K&R