How to Paint Fast, Loose and Bold: Simple Techniques for Expressive Painting

356 Pages·2018·36.36 MB·English

by  Patti Mollica

How to Paint
Fast, Loose & Bold
Simple Techniques for Expressive Painting
Patti Mollica
CINCINNATI, OHIO
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Dedication
To my childhood babysitter, the enchanting Sheila, who always
showed up for the gig with sketchbook and pastels in tow. She
thoroughly dazzled and inspired this impressionable young girl, and
forever changed the course of my life. I have many precious memories
of afternoons spent wide-eyed, mesmerized and spell-bound,
beholding raw talent flow effortlessly from her fingertips.
To my parents, Jack and Shirley Mollica, who have always whole-
heartedly encouraged and supported my interest in being an artist.
To my husband, Mark Hagan, my soul mate and partner in living
the artistic life.
Contents
Special Offers
Dedication
Introduction
Choosing Supplies
1 Creating a Strong Foundation
2 From Value to Color
3 Color Mixing for Unity
4 Brushwork
5 Painting Fast, Loose & Bold
About the Author
Acknowledgments
WHAT YOU NEED
Surfaces
Hardboard panel or canvas board, white mat board
Pigments
Alizarin Crimson, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Lemon Yellow,
Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Red Light, Cadmium Yellow Light,
Cadmium Yellow Medium, Carbon Black, Cerulean Blue, Diarylide
Yellow, Green Gold, Manganese Blue, Neutral Gray N6, Payne’s Gray,
Permanent Violet Dark, Phthalo Blue (Green Shade), Phthalo Green,
Quinacridone Magenta, Raw Umber, Sap Green, Teal, Titanium White,
Ultramarine Blue, Yellow Ochre
Brushes
1⁄ "–2" (6mm-51mm) flats or filberts, 1⁄ " (2mm) script brush
4 16
Other
black and white vine charcoal, color wheel, eraser, value scale
RED UMBRELLA | 8" × 10" (20cm × 25cm) | Acrylic on canvas | Private
collection
Introduction
PAINTING FAST, LOOSE AND BOLD is what happens when you
approach a painting with confidence. When you feel confident in your
method and process, it shows in the finished painting. Fast: If you
work with a value plan, a painting can be executed relatively quickly.
Loose: If your color values are matched correctly, you can lay down
definitive brushstrokes that have an overall looseness, without over-
working. Bold: If you use fresh, unexpected colors that are matched to
a strong well-composed design, your painting will read well from a
distance and exude boldness.
Many people show up to my workshops with the impression that
they will be learning to paint fast and furious. Yet, my approach
would be better described as mindful. After all, anyone can paint fast
and furious— just give some paint to a two year old and watch the
speed and energy that ensue. My method, however, is mainly geared
toward representational painters who want to let go of all those little
details that hold them back from being more expressive.
The question then becomes, how do you gain the artistic confidence
that is required to produce paintings that look fast, loose and bold? It
took me many years to hone the essential skills that helped me
become a consistently better painter. Consistent is the key word here.
You want your paintings to succeed on a consistent basis. For that to
happen, you have to lay the necessary foundation on which to build
strong, successful paintings.