Day Ninety Two: Moonlight Tarpon Springs by George Inness
Hello and welcome to day 92 of 100 days of Tonalism.
Today study is 'Moonlight Tarpon Springs' by George Inness.
Those of you following this blog will be well aware of the work of George Inness by now. This is our second to last Inness study. One of the major reasons that I undertook this project was in an effort to absorb and integrate more of George Inness' style into my own working methods. I will be reading from the book George Inness by Nikolai Cikovsky on today's video narration, so please check that out.
Today I'd like to talk about working methods and the concept of momentum. I get a lot of people coming in my studio that are either part-time artists or wish to become artists. I'm always stressing with these people that the best way to accomplish that goal is to have a regular working practice and a strong work ethic. You can read all of the books out there, you can take infinite classes and have lots of discussions about it, but there is no substitute for experience when it comes to art.
When I first arrived in New Zealand I was coming off of 26 years of working full time. My first year here in New Zealand I did about 20 paintings. Last year I did around 250. This would include my small studies as well as the larger paintings I've done. I work every day on painting and the only exceptions are days I might go out of town with my wife. I am industrious by nature but I can fall prey to laziness just like everyone else and this is where I think the idea of momentum becomes very important.
By keeping a momentum going in your work life you can avoid many of the deepest lows and yet still accomplish most of the highs. I'm not saying that if you work all the time that you will not occasionally produce a painting that is a dud, that's just how reality works. People are quite surprised when I tell them that landscape painting doesn't necessarily get easier with experience. Your work may improve and you will get better, but painting is so challenging to the spirit and intellect as an occupation, that I can easily see spending another 50 years doing it and still not getting to the bottom of it.
Momentum is one of the greatest allies that you can enlist in this artistic journey. Momentum will keep you moving forward and making progress better than anything else I know. If you stop and start constantly in your artistic life it's a bit like a rocket taking off from the earth. Most of the force and energy required to do it is needed at the beginning. If you're constantly taking large breaks from your work life it means that every time you want to start again you must make a supreme effort. With momentum you are basically coasting on your initial effort and continuing on your journey in a progressive manner.
Cheers,
M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz
A bit about 'Moonlight Tarpon Springs' by George Inness; this painting by Inness has a mysterious quality that I think I painted well.
My drawing is a bit different than George's but I did capture the spirit of his painting in my study and for that reason I am pleased with it.
To see more of my work, visit my site here
 |
| Painted after - Moonlight Tarpon Springs by George Inness, Study by M Francis McCarthy - Size 5x7, Oil on wood panel |
Those of you following this blog will be well aware of the work of George Inness by now. This is our second to last Inness study. One of the major reasons that I undertook this project was in an effort to absorb and integrate more of George Inness' style into my own working methods. I will be reading from the book George Inness by Nikolai Cikovsky on today's video narration, so please check that out.
Today I'd like to talk about working methods and the concept of momentum. I get a lot of people coming in my studio that are either part-time artists or wish to become artists. I'm always stressing with these people that the best way to accomplish that goal is to have a regular working practice and a strong work ethic. You can read all of the books out there, you can take infinite classes and have lots of discussions about it, but there is no substitute for experience when it comes to art.
When I first arrived in New Zealand I was coming off of 26 years of working full time. My first year here in New Zealand I did about 20 paintings. Last year I did around 250. This would include my small studies as well as the larger paintings I've done. I work every day on painting and the only exceptions are days I might go out of town with my wife. I am industrious by nature but I can fall prey to laziness just like everyone else and this is where I think the idea of momentum becomes very important.
By keeping a momentum going in your work life you can avoid many of the deepest lows and yet still accomplish most of the highs. I'm not saying that if you work all the time that you will not occasionally produce a painting that is a dud, that's just how reality works. People are quite surprised when I tell them that landscape painting doesn't necessarily get easier with experience. Your work may improve and you will get better, but painting is so challenging to the spirit and intellect as an occupation, that I can easily see spending another 50 years doing it and still not getting to the bottom of it.
Momentum is one of the greatest allies that you can enlist in this artistic journey. Momentum will keep you moving forward and making progress better than anything else I know. If you stop and start constantly in your artistic life it's a bit like a rocket taking off from the earth. Most of the force and energy required to do it is needed at the beginning. If you're constantly taking large breaks from your work life it means that every time you want to start again you must make a supreme effort. With momentum you are basically coasting on your initial effort and continuing on your journey in a progressive manner.
Cheers,
M Francis McCarthy
Landscapepainter.co.nz
A bit about 'Moonlight Tarpon Springs' by George Inness; this painting by Inness has a mysterious quality that I think I painted well.
My drawing is a bit different than George's but I did capture the spirit of his painting in my study and for that reason I am pleased with it.
To see more of my work, visit my site here
 |
| Original painting, Moonlight Tarpon Springs by George Inness |