Artistic Growth Strategies: Reclaiming Best Practices.

Hello Friends, Artists, and Fellow Creative Types!

In this episode of the *Art and Mindset Podcast*, I dive into the importance of refining your artistic practices by identifying and eliminating bad habits, and replacing them with strategies that truly enhance your skills. Recently, I conducted a personal inventory of my own practices and realized that I’ve been neglecting one crucial aspect of my art: drawing.

Drawing is more than just a technical skill; it's a courtship with your subject. By drawing regularly, you deepen your understanding of forms, proportions, and nuances, which ultimately leads to quicker and more accurate renderings—whether in architectural studies, landscapes, or any other subject matter. This episode highlights how consistent drawing can elevate your work, particularly in Plein Air Quick Draw competitions and other time-sensitive artistic challenges.

I also discuss how certain shortcuts, like tracing, stencils, and projectors, can actually hinder artistic growth when overused. I’ve been guilty of relying on these tools, which has led me to bypass foundational drawing altogether. Now, I’m recommitting to drawing for color studies, grayscale studies, and understanding light and shadow.

Join me as I share my journey to eliminate these crutches and focus on practices that will make me—and hopefully, you—a better artist. As you listen, think about the habits that might be holding you back and how you can replace them with more productive strategies.

#FreshPrinceOfPleinAir, #PleinAirPedaler, #QuickDrawMcGraw #Pleinair #Art&MindsetPodcast #Coach #Coaching #ArtCoach #PaintCoach #CareerCoach #Putmeincoach


Watercolour Philosophy. Watercolor is a relationship between Water, Pigment and the brush, you are merely the facilitator.
OR
I'm going to give you a little advice. There's a force in the universe that makes things happen. And all you have to do is get in touch with it, stop thinking, let things happen, and be the ball.
-Ty Webb Caddyshack



Paper, paper is the playground for your pigments to play, some are smooth some are rough these qualities will help create the effects you desire or don't desire. Paper on blocks will buckle when totally wet, stretched paper will buckle and taped paper will buckle, this is the nature of watercolor paper. If you don't want buckling try painting on synthetic paper, it has its own challenges. Learn the behaviors of watercolor paper, learn to work with the buckling or do smaller washes that don't cause buckling. Embrace the qualities and natures of your medium rather than cursing them.

Paint, each pigment has its own unique qualities. A pigment from one manufacturer may behave differently than the same pigment from another. Knowing what pigments to use where and when, is your job as the painter. When diluted phthalo blue bears a resemblance to manganese blue, however phthalo blue at full strength can take over a painting while manganese blue at full strength is not much different than diluted. Knowing which colors stain, lift, granulate, or are opaque, then recognizing when and where to use them is like knowing the difference between using a hammer or a screwdriver (Everyone knows you drink a screwdriver). Pigments are like children, they have their own unique qualities, allowing them to be their best will allow your painting to be its best.

Everybody is a genius. But “if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid”. - possibly Albert Einstein

Brushes, brushes are merely tools in your tool kit. I have 50 Cent brushes (cost 50¢ not the rapper 50¢) and I have a brush that costs $300 (it was a gift). I get more joy and usage out of the 50 Cent brushes, not because they are 50 cents but because through them, I am able to better communicate my vision.

In closing, many people are defined by their problems; learn to be defined by your solutions, your world and your paintings will change for the better.

If you wish to communicate with me directly, commission a painting or hire for live demonstration please email me at [email protected] Please follow me on Instagram @jasontaittinger

Thank You

PRINTS AND MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE @WATERCOLOR.PRINTIFY.ME

I use an assortment of products.

Brushes, I primarily use squirrel hair quills(Amazon), and Hogs hair chip brushes (local craft store).

Paints are from Daniel Smith, Winsor and Newton, QOR, and Schminke.

Papers are all #140 Arches, Fabriano, Lanaquarelle, New York Central (Jerry’s Artarama), Kilimanjaro (Cheap Joe's) and Saunders Waterford. My preference is rough but I also use cold press, I have some #300 and will note when I use it.