If you’re like me, you may visualize yourself painting wonderful, large canvases that will awe your viewers by their size as well as their masterful execution.
However, in this busy, cluttered, overwhelming world, there doesn’t seem to be enough time and space for these heroic panels. Sometimes we must be satisfied with small triumphs. These tiny treasures may not take up much space on a gallery wall, but the impact of small paintings can be powerful in an intimate setting.
I’m not talking about true miniatures here. That’s a whole other ballgame with rules and regulations. For this project, I’m merely referring to a small painting that can be completed in a small setting with a limited amount of time. Painting on a small scale not only reduces the amount of time and space you require, but it also can save a few dollars on the costs of the materials.
Keep It Simple
Choose a limited number of components for your composition. You may wish to use a single flower, a few pieces of fruit or a couple of vegetables. An arrangement of leaves and assorted detritus collected from the yard, field or shore are all potentials for your small canvas.
This is an intimate look at an object or group of objects. It’s important to show the elements in a variety of sizes, views and shapes. Overlapping is a good way to convince the viewer of depth in the composition. The subjects shouldn’t overwhelmed with too much negative space or background area. Don’t forget to make a focal point for your painting. Even if the canvas is small, your viewer’s eye needs somewhere to begin its journey.
Minimize Your Subject’s Environment
Just like you’ve kept to a small set of items for your composition, you may choose to keep your background simple. If you’d like to give a botanical illustration quality to your work, leave the background entirely blank. Your technical ability, compositional skill and color choices are totally in the forefront with this white scenario.
Another similar choice includes adding shadows to your subject matter. This adds another layer of complexity, color and realism to your painting. Don’t forget to include the shadows as integral parts of the composition, as they’ll be prominent characters in your vignette.
If pure white isn’t your idea of a proper background, try simple color washes or scumbled color areas that convey mass but no discernable shapes. This subtle background adds another layer of texture without fighting for predominance in your simple composition.
Keep An Eye To The Details
Just because this is a diminutive work, it doesn’t mean you can neglect the basics. You may be saving time, space and money, but your small painting deserves as much attention as a larger project.
Think through your composition. Do sketches to ensure your focal point, composition and shapes are correct. Examine the amount of negative space and try different size compositions to see whether you should fill the canvas with the composition or reduce its size to allow the negative space to frame it. When you’re happy with your life-size sketch, transfer it to your support and you’re ready to start painting.
Color Your Tiny World
Just because a painting is small doesn’t mean you can neglect your color palette. Choose your colors with the same care you use on large pieces. You may wish to minimize the scope of your hues, but choose wisely.
If a detail is extremely small, you may choose to eliminate it or use a single hue to portray it rather than blend in a number of colors. Learning where to pare down your colors comes as you get comfortable rendering subjects in a small scale.
Don’t forget to stand back and look at your piece from the distance the average viewer will see your painting. You’re looking at it from inches, while an audience may see it from several feet.
The next time you’re looking for the time, space or money to start a new project, keep in mind the small artistic endeavor. You’ll have just as much fun and get as much satisfaction as you would working on a huge mural. And, you and your followers will get to enjoy your finished piece before the next decade passes.
