The Simplicity of a Single Stroke
Like any discipline, some of the pitfalls of painting don’t emerge (or become recognizable) until after one takes the risk of continued practice. One of the greatest lessons I’ve been learning in painting is to take confidence in the simplicity of a single stroke – to appreciate what one simple stroke can accomplish and communicate. (The painting here is a study of Mark from a couple of weeks ago.)
Just because a stroke is simple doesn’t mean the painting comes out as simplistic. The simplicity of each stroke actually adds great interest to the painting. Now, I think a little bit longer before I throw paint on the canvas because I want to be intentional. And rightly so – a stroke remains packed with substance: placement, direction, color, consistency, texture, value, size, and relationship to other strokes…
Before I did a lot of trial and error painting. If any of you have ever tried oil painting, you know that the paint takes an incredibly long time to dry! So while the paint is still wet, if the artist meddles in the strokes, the painting becomes muddy and difficult to appreciate. I have killed many pieces this way – out of insecurity and in search of perfection.
But my search was misguided. Even though I may not see what the painting will be as a finished piece, I have to trust the process. I let go and force myself to trust something that I cannot see. And a visual product emerges. It’s such a weird yet satisfying experience.
Mike Hoffman are discussing. 
Nancy 10:45 am on February 22, 2008 Permalink
Hi Katrina. Your reflection rings true to me–is helpful as I think about the simple life we are trying to envision, live into and describe in these times. Confidence in the simple. Knowledge that it is not simplistic. Trust in the process and especially in the Master Artist. Thanks for your thoughts today.
Chadd 10:47 am on February 22, 2008 Permalink
Sorry…the last comment was from me instead of my wife Nancy.:-)
angela 8:26 pm on February 22, 2008 Permalink
I love the portrait and explanations. I don’t know that I’ll ever be that free in my painting, but would like to be. Your statement “I let go and force myself to trust something that I cannot see” really spoke to me about faith.
Katrina 8:32 pm on February 22, 2008 Permalink
Thanks for the encouragement!
Angela — Yes, it’s all about faith. Every piece I do (especially commissions) is a promise that I’ll provide a great product. And it’s a journey. I don’t know that the product will be great, but I have faith that it will be.
Chadd — Sometimes it’s easy to feel like I’m floating all alone in my little painter world. It’s nice to know that this experience remains more common than I might think. (And that even though my “media” is different, it’s all related!)
Thanks again…
Agent B 12:51 am on February 23, 2008 Permalink
Hey, Mark DOES look like the GI Joe doll I had when I was 4. I knew it.
And oh yeah, nice deep words.
Danny 10:12 pm on March 22, 2008 Permalink
I was recently reading an article where Hans Urs von Balthasar compared theology to music—with each note and sequence adding to the overall piece. And yet, it is still impossible to nail down and describe. I think it is interesting that you come to some of the same conclusions here. I think artists should be—and to an extent—always have been the best theologians. They are quite good at explaining life.
DANX 10:22 pm on March 24, 2008 Permalink
GIVE ME NEW BLOOOOOOOOOOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!