Top 5 Reasons to do a Preliminary Sketch

Hi friends! I have been thinking a lot about creativity, artist block, perfectionism, procrastination and time management lately and I have a little trick that can overcome a lot of those stumbling blocks we face. It’s simply doing a quick practise sketch.

I did this 10 minute color study before Fridays live show to make sure my colors were going to work for the mixes I wanted and also to make sure the paper I was using was OK. I was using some Winsor & Newton Artists Watercolor paper that is nearly 20 years old and it was just fine. This sketch allowed me to quickly get down some colors so that I would be prepared for the main painting.

Top 5 Reasons YOU Should do a Preliminary Sketch Too!

1. You can test out your colors and materials to make sure they are in good working order and work well together.

2. You can try out a composition (how your objects in the painting are arranged.)

3. It allows you to paint quickly and freely without worrying about messing up the “good” project. It’s a great “warm up” to a day of painting!

4. You can test out techniques you are unfamiliar with before attempting it on your final painting.

5. If you are contemplating adding mixed media to your final painting you have a practise piece to try it on first.

The odd thing is that I usually like the practice sketch better than the final painting and I think it is because of the free feeling I had when creating it. Knowing you are only going to spend 10 or 15 minutes on something let’s you create with abandon! I hope you give it a try and til next time happy crafting!