Today we are going to explore the fact that size really does matter.
Everyone has a natural sense of scale, and I feel that our best work is done when we are following our true nature. Some folks love to paint on tiny surfaces, some mid-size, and some folks just love everything larger than life.
Many artists start out painting on small surfaces, as a larger canvas can be intimidating. But what if your best work is done on a larger surface?
One way to test your scale is to take a blank piece of paper and start writing. What would you do if you were not restrained? Are your letters small? Or does one word take up the whole page? Used blank rather than ruled paper. Your results will help shape the direction you might take.
My sense of scale varies depending on the painting implement and subject. And it really boils down to control. Yeah I know, control is an illusion. But I digress.
If I’m going to paint realistic controlled work, I prefer to paint large. It hurts my soul to do controlled work when I am painting tiny. I just don’t want to be that careful. But when I paint large, I don’t feel restricted.
When I paint with a knife, I can paint any size because I accept that I am not actually in control. That being said, I’ve done some pretty amazing small brushwork.
There’s another factor to consider. Some subjects really lend themselves to a certain scale. Others, not so much. Years ago I painted our late mother larger than life. It was a great way to process grief, but whadda ya do with a 48″ x 60” painting of your mother? I confess I later painted over her. Alternatively, I painted a train engine on a 24″ x 36 canvas, and I feel the scale really contributed to its grand presence.
So play around, experiment, and when you think you’ve got your scale down, try something that makes you twitch. You’ll be a stronger painter for it.
Check out my latest 2-Minute Tip video for more on the subject~
Post pics of your creations alongside something that shows the scale. I’d love to see what you’re up to!
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