How we see our world impacts the things we create. When we long to be more creative, there are a few steps we can take to spark our imaginations. These are some of the things I use when I want to create my artwork.
1. Try to have an interest and curiosity in the things around you. Examine the smallest details. Then, step back and look at the larger picture.
2. Look at what light brings to your subject. The shadows, the lines, reflections—what does light hide from your eyes?
3. Color is so important. Use colors that resonate within your soul, something that excites you. That will come through in your work.
4. Planning is sometimes very essential in creating an exacting piece of artwork. However, if you spend too much time going over the details of the execution, you may never get to the most important part: your art.
5. Choose subject matter that you are passionate about. When you love something, you will love creating that work of art.
6. When you can, see art in museums. When you can’t, research artists online. You can use search words that describe the work you do and see if you can find other artists’ work similar to yours. This can be an enlightening process.
7. Look at children’s artwork. I have three children that all love to create art. There is a lot to be learned from them. They have a certain freedom when they draw; they don’t overanalyze.
Marmoset by Nola, age 7
Right now, I am working on a painting of our third cat: Milo. It is from a photograph that my daughter Nola took. Milo is her cat and she felt that I needed to do some artwork with Milo since I had already done drawings of her sister Odessa’s cat. It is a work in progress. Some of my favorite areas are the color variations on the floor and how Milo’s back melts into the shadows.
Milo: In the Shadows
by E. Henderson
e. henderson studio 