How do you start a painting.. do you plan and think and then finally...

Every good painting starts with a plan. Every good plan starts with an idea. Every good idea accumulates with a vision.

Is this how a painting starts? Do you see something, hear something that stirs the creative juices and think, that will be my "next" project.

Do you use the desire to work on a new project to make you finish the one you are working on? Do you feel like it is time to move on? Or is the urge so strong that you leave one to start the other? Can you work or do you work on more than one project?

Or like me sometimes I become stymied because I don't know where to go next. Right now I am procrastinating because I want to film as I paint and I need to build or find me a way to have the camera film over my painting surface. It is not for a video class but just a way to talk about what I am painting -taking notes so to speak. I have 4 projects, two of which I know I need to finish, like yesterday. I can say I am almost there.

So how do you move forward, when things seem to get in the way? Do you leave paintings unfinished so that you can move on?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Barbara Cassidy on June 30, 2011 at 5:10am

Sharon, I purchased a super tripod for filming. It's lightweight and very reasonable. My camera is light so it works great. It's by Manfrotto (Model 420B). I got it at the Ft Worth Camera store for $129.00. Let me know if you want more info.

Permalink Reply by Sharon Kay Morgan on June 30, 2011 at 5:29am

Can you set the camera up so that it can be focused looking straight down? I set my painting on a flat surface to film and I would like to have the camera set up over it. I hope that makes sense. Do you put your surface on an easel while filming? Is that easier for you? Linda wants us painting on an easel, but for filming the lighting is easier to control I think the other way.

Looks like you are having fun with your classes.

On another note, will we get to see you at Linda's anytime soon? We miss you!

Sharon

Permalink Reply by Barbara Cassidy on June 30, 2011 at 7:17am

Yes, Sharon, it does come up with a boom over my head and shoots straight down. The best part is that is it so light, easy to move and use. I'm posting a picture for you. You can adjust the height of the tripod and rod as well as extend the boom out quite far (condensed it a bit to take the photo). You can see my camera on the end. Also, I can quickly turn the connector and shoot at an easel if needed. I did have another one that was way too heavy and not necessary for my smaller camera. Any fine camera store in LR should have one - there is another company called Metz that makes something very similar. It's actually used for professional photographers to hold light boxes because you can purchase several different "L's" and rods to make all sorts of placement options. I agree that we get better light when we shoot straight down. Plus, sometimes when we paint at the easel I cannot help but get in the way of the camera! lol I do both, though. Hope this helps, the price is right at $129.00.

Permalink Reply by Sharon Kay Morgan on June 30, 2011 at 10:18am

Yep that's what I want.

Permalink Reply by Barbara Cassidy on June 30, 2011 at 4:00pm

Super! Let me know if you have problems finding it, but you shouldn't.

Permalink Reply by Sharon Kay Morgan on June 30, 2011 at 4:32pm

I went to look at our camera store after work. they have one like yours. Not exactly your model. It is what I am looking for. Thanks for the help.

Permalink Reply by Debbie Eckmier on January 5, 2012 at 5:03pm

Do you have extra lights that you use Barbara??

Permalink Reply by Barbara Cassidy on January 5, 2012 at 6:32pm

Yes, Debbie, I do. They are the light boxes the pro photographers use with the white cover on them. It helps eliminate shadows. I know Neadeen uses the clamp lights.

Permalink Reply by Lynnette Horn on June 30, 2011 at 6:57am

Talk to Susan Johnson. Her camera boom looks homemade and worked great when I took I a class at her shop. She painted flat with the camera hanging on a boom over her painting. We could watch her progress on a TV screen. Filming or live wouldn't make a difference. The boom would be the same.