Before The First Brushstroke...
- Denise Cerro
- Apr 5
- 2 min read
Setting out paints, arranging brushes, clearing the table, stepping back before the first mark.
This has become my practice of setting myself up for what I hope to be a successful painting session. As I think about it, this is a great practice for just about anything you're getting ready to dive into... painting, writing, gardening, taking a walk even! Getting yourself in the right mood, with all the "stuff" you need set out... you are ready to take on the day.
Preparation matters before the first brushstroke
For me, this is an important ritual in my studio. Taking the time to set up my table, easel, and supplies before I get started helps me warm up and get into the creative mindset before I pick up a brush. This plays really well into my new, take it easy, go slow, enjoy the process way of painting. Taking the time to sort through and lay out materials is less stressful when you're in the middle of a painting (or anything you're taking on) and you can't find what you need and have to break your creative mode to find it...ARGH...I hate when that happens!
Setting up your paints, clearing space, gathering materials, and preparing your mind to create...you are now free to do that because you got the busy work out of the way and set up for a blank surface to become a painting. You've also cleared the way for courage, intuition, and creativity to show up! For me, this is when memories, people, or experiences begin to influence my storytelling paintings...evolving through layers, collage, and unexpected moments.
For those of you who have been hanging out with me for a while, whether in the studio, a class, or here online, you may know about my Studio Sessions...if not, let me introduce you! Studio Sessions are the videos on my YouTube channel, where I share moments from my art studio...glimpses into the process of creating a painting, sometimes even from beginning to end! Other times it’s about setting up the space and telling the story behind the work, and sometimes it’s simply about the slow unfolding of a painting as it reveals itself... to even me!
I invite you to watch the above Studio Session #230... and while you're there, subscribe to my channel. I show up every Saturday morning with a new video... and also have a pretty sizable library for you to wander through while you're there... I welcome you. And if you aren't already... you can subscribe to my ARTicle post down below... that comes out every Sunday morning. Looks like I got you covered for the weekends! 😊
Hang out with people who make you a better person...
I thank you for being here!
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