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One of my favourite articles on painting and design.

Aug 13
2 min read

This month’s newsletter isn’t really written by me. I’m just passing this PSA along from the artist Kevin Beilfuss.


I first read this article years ago and thought, “Well, that’s brilliant.” Then, as is tradition, I promptly forgot about it.


Fast forward to a recent demo.


I was painting a young lady strolling down a beach wearing a big floppy sun hat when a student asked,

“How do you know what to leave out and what to leave in?” I told her, “I’m just trying to give the viewer enough information that they can finish the painting themselves.”


And just like that… Kevin’s article came roaring back into my head. This whole thing is a giant jar of Awesome Sauce. In fact, if Awesome Sauce came in Costco-sized containers… this would be it.


To make things even better, Kevin spends a good chunk of the article talking about another one of my artistic heroes, Carolyn Anderson. So now we’re talking Awesome Sauce… with bacon.


So, boys and girls, I proudly present today’s PSA… Fireflies and the Art of Design.


Poster with reclining person and title Fireflies and the Art of Design by Kevin Beilfuss; includes dialogue about painting.

One of the many reasons I love Kevin’s work isn’t just what he paints. It’s how he thinks.


Here’s one little gem that has rattled around in my brain ever since taking a workshop with him.


He almost never puts obvious vertical or horizontal lines into his compositions.


Everything is… well… Angley.

(Yes… that’s a technical art term. You’re welcome.)


Kevin says you’ve already got two verticals and two horizontals. They’re called the edges of your canvas. So why keep adding more?


It’s like showing up to a party and finding four guys all named Steve. We don’t need another Steve. Sorry Steve…


Tilt something. Move something. Wake the painting up.


I took a workshop with Kevin a few years ago and learned a ridiculous amount. He’s one of those teachers who doesn’t just tell you what to do—he explains why your painting keeps looking like a police lineup.


If you ever get a chance to study with him… Go.

You’ll leave with a better understanding of design, a notebook full of ideas, and probably a few bruises on your artistic ego. (The good kind.)


That’s all for today, kiddies.


Now quit reading emails and go make something wonderful. Keep those brushes swinging.


Your friend in art,

Doug


P.S. Remember… you’re trying to write poetry, not a crime report.


The viewer doesn’t need every tree, every pebble, every blade of grass, the VIN number on the pickup truck, and the squirrel’s dental records.


Give them just enough. Let them finish the story.

That’s where the magic lives.


These first three are Carolyn Anderson.


Impressionistic painting of a woman in white and pink, seated indoors with soft brushstrokes and a dreamy mood.
Abstract impressionist painting of a colorful figure in flowing pink, white, and blue robes against a dark background.

These last four are Kevin Beilfuss.


Abstract gray and black horse painting on a pale background, standing in profile with loose brushstrokes.
Abstract oil painting of a dog’s face in loose brown, white, and blue brushstrokes against a soft pastel background
Painterly nude figure curled in a seated pose against a soft pastel background, with loose brushstrokes and muted tones.

68 Comments


jusyqo
2 days ago

오랜 일정으로 지친 날 편안하게 쉬면서 하루를 마무리하기 좋은 방법이라고 느꼈습니다. 이동 부담을 줄여주고 원하는 공간에서 편안하게 수원출장마사지 쉬는 데 도움이 되어 만족스러웠습니다. 특히 바쁜 일정 속에서도 이동 시간을 줄이고 편안한 휴식에 집중할 수 있다는 점이 가장 편리했습니다.

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