Artists, Are You Asking the Wrong Questions?

I am often asked questions such as what brushes I use or what brand of paints I prefer ... I think these are the wrong questions because they don't give you the information you really need. Instead, I believe the right questions are:

- why do you paint how you paint?
- what are the ideas behind your work?
- What skills or knowledge are using to convey those ideas?

These questions help you understand so much more than 'what are your favourite brushes?'

Each week, I share tips, tricks, advice, and inspiration to help you take your art to the next level.

You can also find me:

[claudiachappel]

I LOVE working with color. I love looking at color. I think that's why I create art.

[Wanderlustwithjess]

Hi Louise, I hope it is ok I called you by your first name. I have been drawing since I was 8, and painting since I was 12. On my next birthday, I will be 71. Your videos have truly touched my heart, your paintings and your guidance have been such help. I have been painting a kind of standard landscapes and feeling very unfulfilled. Your videos have given me hope my paintings will be so much more. I want to thank you for what you are doing and that you are here.

[lynn_thinks]

Terrific insights. Louise. I really appreciate your making time to share! 🎨🖌💖

[jandean]

I work best when I ‘paint from chaos’. Then I react to the random start eventually finding a way through. I’ve only recently discovered this about my self

[patfros]

Hi Louise, does it make sense that when I paint the intuitive comes first and then the answer comes about what I am then I use that for a next painting. I mostly work in series. So it is kind of a conversation between me and what I paint....does that make sense to you?
Thank you again so much for your teachings!

[sheenachadwick]

Very stimulating and worthwhile suggestions thank you Louise.

[alisonwitchell]

Thanks Louise, this is food for thought. I guess that I’m interested in the process as a way of experimenting rather than slavishly trying to copy, knowing what works for other artists in terms of equipment can in itself help in thinking outside of the creative box that I’m sitting in. I sent you a personal thanks this week via email so I hope that it’s reached you. Thanks again for sharing what you do.😊

[cindyvandine]

Hi Louise, I am enjoying all of your podcasts and have actually signed up for Nicholas’ CVP online art course at the age of 72. I was particularly moved by your question to the viewer of “what are the ideas behind your work?.” I’ve been painting for about 8 years and never thought about any particular idea behind my work. I guess I’ve been coasting along with the “intuitive” idea, and up until this last year, it was fine. Now, I find myself putting coat after coat of paint on the canvas and not getting to a place I’m satisfied with the outcome. It’s very frustrating, to say the least. I’ve tried using different colors, brands of paint, substrates, brushes, etc, and going from acrylic, to watercolor, realistic, to abstract, all the while, floundering. So, with all that in mind, I’m going to try and put your words of wisdom to work and see what happens! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and your wonderful art. I’m so glad to have found you!

[ElleCoyote]

For decades I have been working to express my deeply-held belief that everything is a form of spirit. I don't feel I have succeeded, but I keep trying.

[Seductive_Psycho]

I think that I have ask you a "wrong question" before and your response was similar to this... I really do love this answer it proves that you just love art so much and you will make art with anything... You can't have a cheap sketchbook some house paint and crayola crayons and come up with a masterpiece 😊😊.. I am a newer artist and keep thinking that the quality of my materials somehow matter when I know that it really doesn't matter... Maybe it's a phase a lot of us have to experience to get to the next level lol.

[lynnmazzoleni]

Hi Louise - Nice video! I'm kinda binge-watching your channel these days and I'm loving your overall mindset and the way you've chosen to convey it to your listeners. To answer your question, why do I paint, right now I'm doing it for fun and exploration. I'm looking for my voice and considering a career shift from science/higher education to art. I think that I suppressed my self-expression for many years due to lessons that I learned in childhood (education and success were always a top priority). Now that I'm approaching 50, I'm super interested in doing stuff that brings me joy and sparks my curiosity; unfortunately, higher ed has become a bit too negative for me. Eventually, I'd like to feel confident that I can earn an income from art sales and live a less restricted traditional lifestyle. Since I'm in the process of evolving, one of the big challenges that I'm working to overcome is the scarcity mindset. Thank you again for your work and for spreading the ideas of abundance and purpose!

[artfrey]

But when I ask about tools, it's because you use something I am not familiar with or I know of it but haven't tried it yet. Sketchbooks as well. There are so many out there and artists are always looking for a new one to fall in love with, but who can afford to try them all?! I always want to know about sketchbooks from artists who work like I do - scratching, sanding, generally trying to destroy the paper while creating! What have they found that can handle rough handling.

[trishbennett]

Hi Louise thank you I loved this, I'm still a bit nervous about what I'm doing or trying to do, I have been painting for years ( landscape artist in oils ) doing something different Abstracts or semi Abstracts in acrylic !! I now want to try to combine both see where that takes me scared and excited all over again thank you Trish

[philipanderson]

I've been slapping some paint around for the last couple of months trying to get back into painting, in an attempt to just play and loosen up. Your videos and podcasts have been very helpful in making me think what is it I'm trying to say. So what I have decided to do is (for the next couple of weeks), is become able to paint as well as I can draw; what I mean by that is to use a big brush limit the colour pallet and draw with paint in a realistic perspective driven kind of a way. Because I was floundering aimlessly by just applying lovely colours without a real aim, almost I need to prove to myself that I can actually paint a naturalistic landscape without it becoming too tight.

[kellierobinsonartist]

I have a question, how do I know who is genuine and who is fake when I get approached by art ‘agents’ on social media? One or two look genuine but want money and even though it’s not much I always thought that those that are genuine don’t ask for money but this is an agent and not a gallery