What's the ONE piece of advice . . .

[finedreams]

don't be afraid to take a risk and do something what makes you uncomfortable: abstracts, large size etc
don't be afraid of pushing contrasts, darks and brights.
don't be afraid to make mistakes.

[beachwalker]

I agree with Janie Gildow, who says “All the technique in the world won’t make up for bad composition.” When planning a complex piece that will consume many hours, take all the time you need up front to develop an interesting and workable design. Pay special attention to how the colors and configuration of foreground and background elements will work together.

[Ittybit]

I think for me the best advice I can give is to plan, plan, plan, it will save you lots of trouble as you move through the painting with colored pencil. Also, don't be afraid to take chances, spur of the moment changes make our work interesting, and last but not least, don't be afraid to break the rules. Sometimes doing what isn't done, produces the greatest paintings....!!!! Happy painting everyone.

[GoldenArt]

Sign in to Wetcanvas!!! For me I had to learn to listen, then draw what I see.....not what my brain tells me I should see. Rick

[mahla]

This was a great idea for a thread, Maggie. Thanks for starting it!

Would this make a good sticky, or addition to the library?

[coconut]

Get up and walk away from your drawing every once in a while. Coming back to it with fresh eyes helps you see it new again...or look at it in a mirror, you will see some things a bit differently which may help solve a problem...

[Mary Woodul]

Don't worry about ruining a piece it is part of the learning process.

[mahla]

Hi Mary - could / should we put this in the library?

[dhara]

one more thing.

values... they are the most important in the composition. They are vital! Not color.
Values refer to light and dark in every drawing and painting, the whole range of tones from light to dark and back.
Strong value, soft value, dark value, light value etc. Anyone of these need to have some kind of dominant roll in the drawing. There needs to be at least one dominant value to make the image interesting.

i tend to forget this, because of the lovely colors which are availible to me. And it is so easy to get lost in color.

so i realized this.
-if the values are correct even with the 'wrong' colors the painting still stands.
-if the values are 'not correct' no matter what perfect, matching colors you have chosen, the painting always will miss something.

[Mary Woodul]

Hi mahla! Judy and I take care of different things in the CP forum and it has been Judy that has been in charge of the CP Library and I am sure she will add it at it's appropriate time.

[Arizona Loki]

Wow! What a wealth of information and encouragement in this thread. Now I know why I was compelled to log in today . My advice for newbies is if you've got the itch, scratch it! Something inside you has pushed you far enough to find this forum for a reason. Still the voice in your head and just start in on your drawing...then post it and grow as an artist!

[ams]

The most important lesson I learned was to push the darks. When I think I'm done, push a little darker. You need a full range of values.

Anne

[Kimmetje]

Consider all your work as practice and have fun doing it. That way you are not too dissapointed when it didnt work out you wanted it to and you are really happy when it looks great. (Guess this advice doesnt apply if you have to do a commission piece)

Kim

[budamaboy]

in order of importance
1. join the cp forum in wetcanvs
2. Quality materials are a MUST. you don't want to attribute the lack of quality in your final product for user error when the problem is really material flaws.
3.if you find yourself becoming unhappy with the progress of apiece that you formerly were pleased with, WALK AWAY, put it out of sight for at least a whole day before reevaluating your progress. you will be surprised how much a piece will change when its all alone by itself for a while.

there's three that i believe attribute to my ongoing love of this medium. If it had to be only one though i guess it would have to be the first one though because the second two are here amongst the rest of wonderful info!
Carl

[piper2]

Number #2 - quality materials is a must! I started with Crayola pencils and suffered unnecessarily with bad habits for months.