One of our painters, Vroukje, and I were talking the other day about what makes a good artist or decorative painter. It's not about learning techniques and products but more about interest and learning to see to world around us.I think that interest is one of the most important ingredient in creating an artist. If you are genuinely interested in anything you will seek learning opportunities to gain insight, ability, and skill. This is especially true of art. It takes that drive to create and the joy derived from creating to make a good artist.
"Learning to see" is another necessary ingredient. You may learn to pull the strokes and use your brush proficiently, but if you haven't really looked at a primrose flower you are going to
have a difficult time making your painting look like a primrose flower. On the other hand, art makes us want to "see" or study an object, it's structure, where the light is hitting, where the shadows fall, how the values change to create shape, how proximity changes the apparent size of an object, and much more. Since you have been painting you are probably looking at leaves in a whole different light or studying vegetables in the grocery store much more closely. So you have been painting a portrait and now you are noticing the subtle shadows or contours of faces. You are just appreciating the details in the world around you much more and with new eyes.
With your new ability to "see" with your artist's eyes and your desire to learn, using art techniques and experimenting with them is wonderfully enjoyable and exciting. The most thrilling part is looking forward to the next painting experience.
