Want to really SEE what I’m talking about?
Grab a pencil and paper. Now go find a rose - a real one (you don't have to pick it). An artificial flower won't work - honest.
Choose a colorful blossom that is pink or peach or variegated, to make it easier this first time (dark reds or whites are more difficult).
Spend 10 minutes studying the color of this rose. Write down every color you see.
After about 5 seconds you'll have listed the basic colors and feel like you are done.
Keep looking!
You'll begin to see subtle color differences. Make up names for them. You might see: soft peach, rosy peach, orangey peach, golden peach, pinkish peach, pale pinkish peach, pale pinkish-yellowish peach, greenish peach (yup, I said greenish peach).... you get the idea.
Aim for a listing of 100 different colors.
The point isn't to uniquely "name" each color. The point is to "SEE" the differences in the colors. Make note of all those subtle, subtle changes.
When you can see it, you can paint it. When you can paint it, your paintings will glow.
Now obviously, these images that I have on my blog can't possibly show you the amazing variations of color. You can look at photos and images on the web - but you still won't see all the colors until you sit down with the actual object (rose, tree trunk, lemon, whatever....) and STUDY it with the eyes of an Artist.
Increase your powers of Creative Observation with this simple daily exercise and you'll notice the difference in just one week!
DAY 1
Choose an everyday object and observe it using all of your senses:
- Study it, observe it's color, texture, patterns, shape and edges.
- Pick it up and feel it's textures and the weight of it
- Close your eyes - what does it smell like?
- Tap it with your fingers, how does that sound? Does it make a
'thunk', 'rustle' or a 'ping'? Run your fingers across it, can you feel a
change in texture?
- Is this something that would have a taste? Is so, what would it taste like? Compare it other things.
Now put the object away - out of sight. Pick up your drawing pad
and draw the object from memory. Include as much detail as you can and
also aim at creating impressions of sound, smell and taste.
DAY 2
Again
pick up the object and focus on it with all your senses, just as you
did on day One. Again put the object aside and without looking at your
previous drawing, draw the object once more. You don't have to draw the
object from the same angle or position as you did on day One. In fact,
it's best if you draw today using your new insights.
DAYS 3, 4, 5, & 6
Each
day do the same things: observe, put aside and then draw the same
object from a different perspective. Make sure that you DO NOT look back
at any of your previous drawings.
DAY 7
On
this final day SKIP observing the object - just draw it using all of
your previous memories and senses. When you are finished with your final
drawing, go back through all of your drawings and compare them. What
changes do you see? How much has your observation of the object
improved?
