I paint full-time. It’s my career, my hobby, my enjoyment…my means of putting bread on the table. But despite this daily immersion in painting, I still find the art-creation process absolutely fascinating.

I love seeing how other artists go about crafting their works—whether an oil painting, a drawing, a sculpture, or a movie. Often, the most interesting processes to watch are the ones very far from my own area of particular focus! I can’t even begin to recount the hours I’ve sat enthralled by the behind-the-scenes footage of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. (And you thought the movies themselves were long!)

The presence of YouTube in our modern times has given us the ability to view an almost endless stream of this delightful meta-content with just a click or tap.

My First Art Video

Because of the exciting nature of these “the making of” videos, I decided to jump aboard that train! (Almost literally in this case!) I want to give you the regular benefit of seeing not just finished paintings, but also the in-between stages.

When a collector commissioned the painting Ship It on the Frisco!, I decided the perfect opportunity had arrived. For my first art video, I decided on a “time lapse.” Time lapse has the unique ability to quickly show the full painting process, from empty canvas to ready-for-framing. For this technique, I took photos at regular short intervals throughout the painting until completion. The result of stringing these images together (and setting them to music) is simply fascinating!

Painterly Painting

When a good painting is completed and hanging on the wall, a skilled artist can make it look effortless. This especially occurs in the realm of “painterly paintings,” where brush-work and texture are emphasized. The goal of this “bravura” style of realistic painting is to convey the atmosphere, quality, and reality of the subject while retaining the distinct characteristics of the paint.

I’ve heard many people say “why would I want a painting that is indistinguishable from a photograph? If I wanted that, I’d take a picture.” I generally agree with this sentiment, and strive to maintain this balance in my own work.

A Deeper Appreciation

However, a side-effect of bold, loose painting can be the feeling of ease and simplicity. Perhaps you’ve even had this thought while viewing a good painting: “It looks so simple.”

Well, I hope that this behind-the-scenes video gives you a greater appreciation for the work and craftsmanship that goes into any quality work of art. It’s not all sipping coffee and airily following the inner muse!

Next time you view a wonderful, realistic work of art, pause a moment. Ponder the depth of experience behind those bold, simple brushstrokes. As this video shows…it’s not as easy as it might appear! After watching the clip, one of my Facebook followers noted, “[The video] makes me appreciate [the painting] that much more!”

By the way, if you’re interested in the story behind this particular painting, you can read it here.  I’d also love to hear your responses to my comments. Do you like behind-the-scenes videos? Are you a fan of loose, bold painting or do you prefer tighter, more photo-like pieces? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!