Let your working space invite and inspire you
While my teaching mainly focuses on the technical aspect of painting, I cannot miss talking about an important step in the practice. By adopting good cleaning habits, you will enjoy coming back to your canvas and it will be inviting to see your valuable brushes in good shape, clean and dry waiting for you. Your mixing palette will be sparkling clean, ready for your new colour mixes inspired by your new project.
Why bother?
I would like to dispel another myth about the art of painting; there are so many preconceived ideas about artists and their typical, not-so-great habits. We may have romantic visions of artists in their studios splashing paint all over the floor and walls. Many people think that real artists end up with paint all over their hands (not such a good idea with oil paint), their clothes and everything they touch during a burst of inspiration.
In contrast to this image, I think of a team of house painters, the way they leave their space after a day of good work; their brushes and rollers cleaned, drop sheet removed, and the odd-escaped drops wiped off.
Similarly, I have learned to develop good habits in keeping my studio tidy. It pays off, especially with brushes.
I used to be so overwhelmed by the task of cleaning up any mess at the end of a session. Eventually, I decided it was easier to keep my space tidy as I went.
I try not to let wet paint wander anywhere except on my mixing palette, brushes and, of course, the canvas. That way I can focus on the fun parts and not be distracted by a mess that will happen if fresh, wet paint is let go anywhere, out-of-control.
