My Art

There's as a saying that claims: "good things come to those who wait." and it's very true - especially when it comes to my art.

Throughout the years I developed a few habits when it comes to my art, the biggest one being that I need to plan out everything right from the start (which can be clearly seen in this example here).

No matter if its regarding the composition, a color concept or the meaning/message behind a piece, without a proper plan and a clear image in my mind, I can't draw. I'm not a very spontaneous person - if you place me in front of a blank piece of paper and expect me to draw on the spot, I freeze, not knowing what to do - or where to start. I need my research, the planning, the brooding and contemplating until I finally come up with a concept worth following.

Only through this process, I create a 'vision' of what I'm going to paint and once I can visualize the scene in my head, I can finally start working. To me, it's like opening the door to a place in my imagination, to 'visit' the place my mind and to depict it, as if I myself am within the subject of my artwork. Through my extensive planning, the scenery becomes 'real' and I can often smell and taste the air in the woods I paint, listen to the whisper of a creek and feel the warmth of the sun. I watch the characters move before me, hear their voices and see their expressions clearly. It's as if being right there, simply painting what's right in front of me, even if said place doesn't exist in real life. But I try my best to capture it - and by doing so, the visions become reality, at least on paper.

But here's where another habit of mine kicks in: my perfectionism.

Although I'm aware that no one is 'perfect' per se and there is no such thing as a 'perfect painting' (after all it's flaws that often make something all the more beautiful), I always set high standard for myself and will often spend hours upon hours adding tiny details until I'm finally somewhat satisfied with my artwork and it gets close to my mental image. Usually I even have to 'force' myself to stop because I simply love adding details far too much, to the point that I tend to get lost in painting leaves for example. *laughs*

At the same time it also means that I am my own harshest critic and if I am not happy with a piece, I either keep working on it, or I pause and it put it away for some time (sometimes up to a few months, or in some cases: a few years) until I feel I gained the necessary skills to complete it at last.

Which brings me back to my original point: yes, my art takes quite some time to finish, but in the end, I feel it's all worth the long wait. Besides...It's not only the result that matters, but one should enjoy the process, too, don't you agree? It's like a journey, where each step and each sight on the way counts, not only the destination.