Pieces of a Picture

Creative Thinking

What kind of creative thinker are you? Knowing the answer to that question can lead you to a creative breakthrough that will make you a more intuitive artist.

In Watercolor Magic's Creativity 2002 issue, artist Cathy Woo discusses the theory of multiple intelligences as it applies to painting. According to this theory, we’re each blessed with a number of intellectual gifts, which are then combined and expressed in a unique way. Are you good at math or language? Can you make sense of a space? Do you hear music in your head? Do you make friends fast? Can you intuit things about the people you meet? Take credit for your gifts and then start thinking about ways you can bring those talents into your artwork.

Identify your intelligences. http://www.watercolormagic.com/creativityquiz.html

Something New

For some people, learning is approached from a very practical angle: It's learned if it's needed for a particular project or career. Otherwise it's useless and "I won't need it." (How many of us have said that about high school physics or calculus?) Whether you're a student of art or anything else, this thinking limits the experiences you could later draw on. If you're a watercolorist, why not take a class in stained glass? If you're into colored pencil, why not try scratchboard? By learning something different, you may actually improve your skills in the media you work in. And the best part of stretching yourself for no apparent reason is that it's usually a lot of fun.

Start your Engines

When you start sketching, you may be overwhelmed by all your possible subjects. Take the pressure off by heading to the museum and finding inspiration in the artists there. All you have to do is explore, and the best way to start is by wandering around.

When something catches your eye, make a quick sketch. Squint your eyes to study the major shapes in the painting and write down anything that comes to mind as you're drawing. In addition to finding subjects, you may also learn some fundamental lessons. How did the artist handle color or composition? Where's the best place to put the focal point? Write down your thoughts about what you see.

Remember that these sketches don't need to look good, and let yourself slow down and discover what intrigues you the most about a painting. Museums often have strict rules about sketchbook size and what writing and drawing tools you can use, so be sure to call ahead.

For more tips on getting started in drawing, see "Sketching Start-ups" in the October 2002 issue of Drawing Board http://www.artistsmagazine.com/mags_tam_display.asp?id=1353