A Passionate Painter “Start with a broom and end with a needle.” John Singer Sargentt Bill Hibberd is an award winning, full time oil painter working out of his studio in Duncan. 250-748-2838
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s you progress from the initial brushstroke to the final tentative touch on your painting you could do worse than to heed Sargents advice. The direct method of painting is by far the most common today. Known as “alla prima” or “at first attempt”it has its own challenges and charms. The advantages to wet on wet painting is edge control. Do a web search and explore Sargents work. You will discover many visual treasures. He was the master of lost and found edges. If you let your eye run along a shirt sleeve or a woman’s cheek you will
discover a variety of edges from razor crisp to soft indiscernible gradations. As you “lose” edges between neighbouring elements the viewer’s eye is free to roam through the piece transitioning from one area to another seamlessly. This is an excellent tool that will allow you to control the viewers visual journey though your painting. Begin your painting with a large #12 flat brush. Block in all your elements , cover your complete canvas with that large implement. Keep true to your values and you will realize a strong beginning. Some artists are content to walk away at this stage call their painting finished. Fair enough. If your sensibilities lean to more developed work I would suggest that you pick up a #6 flat and work through your composing a second time. Then a #4 or a #2 , mix in some rounds and riggers and knives. The concept of beginning with a “broom” and finishing with a “needle” is just one possible process but it is exciting to do and offers you many opportunities to explore a variety of mark making and
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edge control. Let your eyes explore Sargents alla prima painting “Vernon Lee “ which was the pseudonym of his friend the writer Violet Paget. Play close attention to his edges. There is much to be gained by studying this little painting. Feast your eyes on “Repose”. Look at the brushwork and
edge control on her hands. Masterful painting! I will finish with another more humorous quote by Sargent. “A portrait is a painting with something wrong with the mouth.” Questions? Contact me at billhibberdart@gmail.com Send images of your painting for critique if you wish. Have fun and paint with passion.
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