The Painter's Dance
 

I

A traditional arm palette has advantages. I can hold it up to my line of sight and check my colors and values against what I see on the model. I can hold it at an angle and avoid glare. I can get paint on my sleeve with the greatest of ease. That is why I

As I paint I try and stay back as far as practical. If I get too close too soon, I get bogged down in detail and I can be guaranteed that the details will be in the wrong place. I rest my mahl stick on the corner of my easel and brace my painting hand on it. I don

After a couple of strokes, I step back as far as necessary to get an overall look. Moving around keeps my eye fresh. If my canvas is bigger, I step back much farther. I walk a great deal during a painting session. I would like to think that I

There is so much to see. My tired old eyes need to get in close at times, often much closer than this. I have to invade the sitter