master's tips - advice to art students and emerging artists

Extract from a feature article about Ernie Gerzabek paintings in "Artist's Palette" magazine

Many beginners and student artists ask for my advice on how to go about painting.  By-passing the subject of painting technique, I prefer to deal with the creative process and the focus on the "correct approach".  I put down a few pointers on how to apply the "right approach":

• Do not become merely an illustrator who relies mainly on technique and limited to reproduction of external appearances.   Express your creativity by using your imagination, original thoughts, and work from the heart.

• As probably only 1% of artists can paint photographic perfection, don’t waste your energy trying to compete with the camera.  Good  photographers can produce such images with a fraction of your effort.

• Utilise what you are good at; do not struggle with the very difficult or nearly impossible.  Find your forte and comfort zone.  Enjoy being there and build up your confidence.  Later on you can gradually take on the more difficult aspects of painting.

• Still, it is necessary to break out of your comfort zone occasionally; so try something completely different from what you usually do.  New challenges will liberate your mind and invigorate your creativity.

• Having fun by experimenting is better for your spirit than dogged chasing of perfection by hard labour.  Masterpieces are just as likely to emerge through carefree experimentation and controlled accidents than by boring doggedness.

• So, welcome painting accidents and "mistakes", they often lead to new directions and unforeseen possibilities.

• Do not dismiss art which is vastly different from yours, you can learn from other styles, approaches and methods.