Economy of means

There's a question that pops into this inbox practically every
day: "How can I speed up my operation? I'm taking too long with
my work. I know I need to be more efficient, but I'm somehow
blocked."

Part of the problem for these folks is that they are often
non-professional in their approach. Also, they're not always
informed about methodology that has benefited creators since
Leonardo. Fact is, artists must constantly take stock of their
personal systems and their work habits, and, in an
inventor-like way, look for improvements. Those who thrive
professionally know this territory well. The bonus, they know,
is that economy of means leads to creative freshness. Sit back,
look at your work in progress, and, if desired, dig out
processes like the following:

Pre-mix frequently used colours and carry them from work to
work. Think through a logical order of application and
development. Think through the outcomes of your creative moves
in anticipation that they may be wrong. At the same time, train
yourself to get things more or less right on the first go.
Avoid repetitious workings in areas or passages--in other
words, get so you can put your strokes down and let them be.
Work out effective time-savers like making gradations by
glazing, rather than by incremental pigment adjustments.
Replace unsatisfactory colours by partly using the colour to be
replaced. Use obfuscation techniques, such as scumbling, to
give the appearance of "more going on." Avoid long lapses of
"busy work" such as brush cleaning, complex over-drawing,
redundant rendering and other time-burners. Beside your
standard tools, use alternate ones--rags, combs, sponges,
scrapers, wild goose feathers, etc. Simplify where simplicity
is appropriate. Catch yourself when you're up to your old delay
tactics and avoidance games.

A few weeks ago I was stricken by a peculiar affliction that
interfered with my economy of means. I was pacing back and
forth a lot. I had rationalized that it was part of the
planning and thinking process mentioned above. But it was
really just a non-professional avoidance activity. Then I had a
wee breakthrough. It was to "leave that part out." I closed
down the pacing department. Leaving parts out is one of the
keys to economy of means. Think ahead and do what you can, when
you can--and you'll keep on doing. Good stuff automatically
comes along to fill in the blanks.

Best regards,

Robert

PS: "One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of
oneself." (Leonardo da Vinci)

Esoterica: While there's a correct way to remove an appendix,
there is no correct way to make a work of art. That's what's
nice about our business. Every one of us has unique--even
devious--ways that we make things happen. It's called
"process." Making improvements to your personal process is a
saw-off. Half of it is learning what someone like Leonardo
would do. The other half is figuring out what you can do. On
both fronts, the success of your quest is a measure of your
spirit. "Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is
no art." (Leonardo da Vinci)