WHY PAINT SMALL?
by Armand Cabrera
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| Armand
Cabrera
Red Roses - 8x6 Oil |
Working in a small format is the best way to break painting
down to its essentials. Painting 7” x 9” or
smaller forces the focus on what’s important. It
also limits your ability to paint too much unnecessary
detail. You’ll find this especially true when using
a large brush on a small canvas.
I recommend to my beginner students to start small, then
work their way to larger canvases after they’ve
mastered painting the smaller format. Regrettably, I see
too many artists’ prematurely painting large-sized
canvases outdoors---often with mediocre results.
Try painting small canvases with no smaller than a #
8 bristle brush---or even a palette knife. Painting small
forces you to simplify the elements of your canvas and
teaches you how to handle a brush properly.
In addition, painting small can be a valuable design
tool. I find that painting a small piece onsite assures
my success in painting a larger version outside. Sometimes
I’ll do a number of them to experiment with different
designs, color combinations or value plans.
Small canvases also allow testing with elements like
paint thickness and brush calligraphy. The small scale
is more manageable than on a larger piece. Little paintings
also offer a chance to capture effects that you would
never attempt otherwise. Painting the setting sun or rising
moon is easier to accomplish when you only have a 6”
x 8” surface to cover.
Another benefit of painting small outside is your reduction
in gear. Small painting equipment is lighter and that
translates into more energy for painting and less energy
wasted on hauling your gear. Additionally, it’s
easier to keep a 6” x 8” kit at the ready
in the car so you can paint whenever you see a landscape
that catches your eye. Remember, cold and hot weather
need not deter you from painting. With a small box, you
can stay in your vehicle and paint!
You’ll find many small paint boxes on the market---or
try making one yourself from a cigar box and about $20
worth of hardware. For ready-made paint box sources, try
these vendors:
www.artworkessentials.com
www.openboxm.com
