In a previous post, I was talking about storytelling with your art and how adding people helps make storytelling not only possible, but something that really can not be avoided. Once a viewer sees a person in a painting, they automatically start trying to figure out what they are doing there. It may not even be something the viewer is conscious of, but it does happen. For the purpose of this post and the fact that my main medium is watercolors, we will discuss people in that realm. Watercolor people do not have to be defined. Facial features are not necessary unless you want to add them. Skin tones are irrelevant and clothing choices never have to agree with the latest fashion styles. The only thing necessary in order to put people into your paintings is to practice. You really don't have to practice intensely either. Take thirty minutes and one sketch book page. Do not use pencil sketches first for your figures at all. Make sure they are spontaneous strokes, have fun, make up stuff as you go along and NEVER EVER worry about what they look like. Your goal is to create a believable person, not an identical likeness to Joe or Nancy. Put on some Jimmy Buffet music, get your brush, paint and sketchbook out and enjoy. In all seriousness, the more fun you have painting, the better you will become. Learn to take what you do serious and try your best, but never obsess over your work and never get anxious about it. When you start to stress, stop, do something else and go at it again later. Maybe turn the music up a bit louder. Remember, you are creating a world within your art. You are the only one you have to please.
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