Choosing An Oil Painting Subject

By Author: Anthony Keith Whitehead
Total Articles: 21
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This article considers some of the factors which beginners in oil painting might wish to consider before commencing a painting. It looks at one’s present level of expertise and skill. It also considers the need to be self disciplined in painting and the selection of subjects.
Factors Determining The Choice Of Subject
When paintings in oil, the subject one might choose to paint is determined by several things. These include the degree of complexity one can currently and the kind of medium to be used, the size and kind of support one has in mind, and so forth. Obviously, one’s own personal tastes and preference will have a major influence the choice of picture, but within that, some of the following points might be found useful.

Expertise Depends Partly On Variety
Look at the paintings around an artist’s studio and in most cases you will fine a fair variety of subject matter. Of course, there are those who choose to paint a very limited range of picture, but usually that is after they have gained experience over a wider field.

In general, it would be unwise to restrict one’s choice at a ...
... very early stage. This would have a deleterious effect on the development of one’s skills and abilities in painting. Without doubt, if one has a particular preference in subject matter, one has every right to choose that area. But it would be a mistake to make the choice too early.

Following One’s Own Rules
To develop in painting one really needs to impose a certain amount of discipline on one's self.. For example, this might be partly to paint at least some subjects that are not immediately found to be attractive – but who knows how tastes may develop with experience?

Sometimes it is instructive to ask oneself about the nature of one’s disinclination to paint certain subjects?. Not infrequently the answer will revolve around certain kinds of difficulties we expect to have. But unless we tackle such things, they are always going to remain and impose a restriction on the range of things one can undertake to paint.

In these sorts of cases there is a need to force oneself to undertake exercises on those subjects. One might, for example, be reluctant to paint landscapes because of an expected difficulty in painting trees. But these are going to appear in many landscape images anyway, so a wide range of possibilities will be excluded. Often such exercises can lead to the development of new interests in things and one is extended as an artist.

Start With The Simple
In the beginning look for something simple. That may not be as simple as it sounds! Look carefully at a possible image to paint. Then cut as much as possible while leaving a sensible picture. For example, flowers might seem attractive things to paint. But a group in your garden or a bunch you have just bought can turn out to be something of a nightmare when you try painting them!.

If you are interested in flowers begin with just one or two flowers and their leaves – on second thoughts, make it just one flower and its leaves. Very effective paintings can be produced like this and it is not necessary to have masses of flowers.

In fact, it is surprising how complex a flower or two can be when one comes down to painting them! For example, my painting of Peony In Vase has a lot of complications attached to it. For example, make sure the vase is a simple one, not cut glass or one with many decorations. When it come to painting flowers in the garden or a field, focus on just a single flower. Moreover, there will nearly always tend to be complex things in the background. Leave them out in the early stages of your development and use a single, appropriate colour for the background, one that will help to show off the subject.

Consequently…
Don’t be over ambitious to start with. Your motivation will grow with success, and success will come at first more easily with the simple things. Do choose something which interest you and appeals, but once you begin to get into painting in oils, extend your range at least fairly widely and do take on new, carefully graduated subject matter so that your skills and perceptions develop. It is often said that “nothing succeeds like success” and there is a lot of truth in that, at least in the sense that, if you are successful in something, that increases your motivation and confidence. And one could coin an opposite kind of phrase like, say, “nothing fails like failure” – and the way to avoid that in painting as in other things, is not to be over ambitious at the start!

AUTHOR: A K Whitehead
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This will take you to paintingsinoil.co.uk main page of original images painted by A K Whitehead.
All the paintings in oil here are by A K Whitehead, who is aself-taught artist, and are original oils and not copies. The approach is traditional, making use of various techniques, including impasto and glazing. This link will take you to the main categories of landscapes, seascapes, snowscapes, waterscapes and still life and all are provided with free frames and fastenings. Free delivery is also included within the UK.