A Beautiful Beginning: The Art of the Start

A PRE-CONVENTION WORKSHOP WITH ARTIST JOSEPH PAQUET

Monday May 20th, 2024 | 7:00am – 2:30pm

(Must be registered for the Convention to attend)

Many artists — especially those trying their hand at oil painting — face a common challenge: the dreaded ‘ugly’ stage. 

It’s a familiar cycle.

You work tirelessly on a piece that just doesn’t seem to come together as you had hoped. In frustration, you eventually shelve it. 

Weeks or even months pass… When you finally get back to it, you’re even less happy with it. 

Some just trash their work. Others sabotage it out of spite.

But the good news is that the ‘ugly’ stage can be completely avoided. And you can create a painting that radiates beauty right from the very beginning. 

From Joseph Paquet:

When I was a young student Arthur Maynard (a former student of Frank Vincent DuMond) said to me, “The better your start is — the closer it will be to a finish”.

It was good advice .

I don’t buy into the idea that all paintings must go through an “ugly” stage.

I believe that every stage of a painting can be intentionally and thoughtfully expressed. 

Everything matters.

The key is to simultaneously bring together both unity and variety, as well as rhythmic connectivity and a clear visual hierarchy.

This requires a specific kind of drawing that necessitates speed, risk, rhythm, and hierarchy of forms.

It is possible to imply extraordinary elegance and refinement at the block-in stage of your painting and I will show you how.

A beautiful start can make for a more beautiful finish.

All levels welcome. Must purchase a ticket to the Plein Air Convention to attend. 

Register For Workshop

A Beautiful Beginning: The Art of the Start

A PRE-CONVENTION WORKSHOP WITH ARTIST JOSEPH PAQUET

Monday May 20th, 2024 | 7:00am – 2:30pm

Many artists — especially those trying their hand at oil painting — face a common challenge: the dreaded ‘ugly’ stage. 

It’s a familiar cycle.

You work tirelessly on a piece that just doesn’t seem to come together as you had hoped. In frustration, you eventually shelve it. 

Weeks or even months pass… When you finally get back to it, you’re even less happy with it. 

Some just trash their work. Others sabotage it out of spite.

But the good news is that the ‘ugly’ stage can be completely avoided. And you can create a painting that radiates beauty right from the very beginning. 

From Joseph Paquet:

When I was a young student Arthur Maynard (a former student of Frank Vincent DuMond) said to me, “The better your start is — the closer it will be to a finish”.

It was good advice .

I don’t buy into the idea that all paintings must go through an “ugly” stage.

I believe that every stage of a painting can be intentionally and thoughtfully expressed. 

Everything matters.

The key is to simultaneously bring together both unity and variety, as well as rhythmic connectivity and a clear visual hierarchy.

This requires a specific kind of drawing that necessitates speed, risk, rhythm, and hierarchy of forms.

It is possible to imply extraordinary elegance and refinement at the block-in stage of your painting and I will show you how.

A beautiful start can make for a more beautiful finish.

All levels welcomed.

Register For Workshop