The 6 Laws of Making Art

17th July 2014 by Lisa Takahashi 1

Thought art was lawless? Think again! In order to create a work of art that successfully communicates its message – be it a mood, a sensation, a narrative…it needs to follow the following laws. Who says so? None other than today’s leading British artists, many of whom have extensively exhibited and taught their craft. If you have any other laws to add why not share them with us by commenting below, or telling us your thoughts on our 6 laws of making art.

Hazel Soan

Dark against light, light against dark – for the figurative artist, tone is king. Chase relative tone rather than local colour. Seek the tones of your colours set in relation to each other.

– Hazel Soan

Watercolourist Hazel Soan has had over 25 one-man exhibitions, produced 16 DVDs on watercolour painting and countless books including ‘The Essence of Watercolour’ , ‘Hazel Soan’s African Watercolours’ and ’10-Minute Watercolours’. She is an expert on Channel 4’s Watercolour Challenge and frequently delivers workshops, demonstrations and painting holidays. Among her works are characterful figure studies and sensitive depictions of South African Nature.

http://www.hazelsoan.com/

Anita Klein

Grown Up Daughters by Anita Klein

There is no point trying to be original or to develop a recognisable style. Style is not something you invent. It is like our speaking voices; unique and recognisable the moment we stop trying and just relax into being ourselves.

– Anita Klein

Anita Klein is an London-based Australian Printmaker and Painter. She was President of the Royal Society of Painter Printmakers from 2003-2006. Her work is in many private and public collections in Europe, the USA and Australia, including the Arts Council England and the British Museum. She is best known for joyful and celebratory depictions of everyday life.

http://www.anitaklein.com/

Jenny Keal

Cottage by Twilight by Jenny Keal

Never stop experimenting! When we, as artists, start to become more proficient and find that we have mastered certain techniques, producing paintings that we are pleased with, it is easy to become complacent, stick to that style and never move on. It is important to set aside time for splashing the paints around because the most glorious effects can be produced by accident. This little painting, on a scrap piece of Fisher 400 Artpaper, was destined for the waste bin because it has a dirty mark on the corner. I was merely playing with ideas and doodling on it. It is a combination of watercolour, black ink and pastel on Fisher 400 Art paper. Keep ‘playing around with paint’ because you never know what little gem you might create.

– Jenny Keal

Jenny Keal has written two books on painting with pastels including ‘Painting With Pastels’ and produced three DVD’s. She is married to artist David Bellamy. You can find out more from her website http://wwwdavidbellamy.co.uk/jennys-page/

Soraya French

Iris Fusion by Soraya French

Lost and found edges – It is best not to treat all the edges of the components of your subject matter the same way. A combination of hard and well defined edges together with soft and lost edges makes for a more interesting and intriguing painting. This is often referred to as Lost and Found. Let your viewer use their imagination.

– Soraya French

Soraya French is known to work across media including oils, watercolours, acrylics and pastels to produce expressive works filled with light and colour. She contributes regularly to ‘The Artist’ magazine and is also an official GOLDEN Artist Paints and Caran d’Ache demonstrator. She has written 2 books including ’30-Minute Acrylics’ and presented a number of art DVDs including ‘Revealing the Secrets of Acrylics’ and ‘Dynamic Acrylics’ .

http://www.sorayafrench.com/

David Bellamy

David Bellamy Sketching in Greenland

You can only paint the smell of damp pine needles by being there: a photograph is a poor substitute for working from the real thing when painting a landscape.

– David Bellamy

David Bellamy is the Artist & Author of “David Bellamy’s Watercolour Landscape Course“, “Skies, Light & Atmosphere in Watercolour“, and the forthcoming “Winter Landscapes in Watercolour”, plus many other books and DVDs.

http://www.davidbellamy.co.uk/

Hugo Grenville

A Pilgrim Soul II by Hugo Grenville

Whatever you do, do it with complete conviction – anything less will not convince the viewer.

– Hugo Grenville

Hugo Grenville is a figurative painter with international repute. His still lifes, figure and landscape paintings are filled with light, colour and pattern and evoke feelings of hope and promise. He is a regular contributor to The Artist magazine. His painting school, The Grenville School of Painting in Bristol, runs a one-day a week course from September 2014 as well as intense short courses at various venues across the country. For more information please visit http://hugogrenville.com/courses.html