This year I am committing myself to shorter and more focused blogging, twittering and Facebooking. In fact all of my communications this year are going to be sensitive to the fact that everyone’s time is as valuable as mine. The more I engage in social media the more I realise what a responsibility I have to anyone who either reads the stuff I write or follows me. Brevity is the name of the game for 2013 and beyond.
I really benefited last year from a few blog sites which added great value to me as an artist and formed part of my personal development. I found two things in common with these sites, firstly the bloggers really did have something to say about the passions they had for their subjects and secondly they conveyed their enthusiasm, encouragement and knowledge quickly and concisely, in a word, brevity.
I really benefited last year from a few blog sites which added great value to me as an artist and formed part of my personal development. I found two things in common with these sites, firstly the bloggers really did have something to say about the passions they had for their subjects and secondly they conveyed their enthusiasm, encouragement and knowledge quickly and concisely, in a word, brevity.
For me writing is a lot like painting. I started off wanting to use every colour in the catalogue to express myself and my subjects. As I grew in confidence and experience so my colour palate and brush selection reduced in size and quantity and I found that I was able to be as expressive with a few colours and brushes I was with many. In fact my painting became less cluttered and I worked a lot faster to achieve better more satisfying results and my audience were also more enthusiastic and complimentary about my work.
I’m working on a simple rule this year, whether I am producing marketing materials, corresponding with friends and clients or even chatting on the telephone, before I write or speak I need to choose my words like my colours. This should ensure that I get the best mix for the quickest and most effective delivery. Contrary to what some marketing and communications specialists believe, long copy just does not do it any more for people who are already plugged into so many information streams. I aim to keep blogs below 500 words, about 3 to 5 min reading and in that time to skilfully make the best use of my words to communicate my experiences, tips or opinions. Here goes, wish me luck I only have 159 words left.
The best tip I had in 2012:-
Herman Jansen van Vuuren, a friend, artist and paint maker who is passionate about recycling and the environmental effects of solvents and solutions, was horrified to see that I was cleaning my brushes in turpentine, thinners and spirits. I simply had never considered that there were better options.
Herman suggested that I load a large brush with phthalo blue oil paint until it was totally saturated. He then instructed me to take a paper towel and remove as much paint as I could. Then he asked me to pour about one and a half tablespoons of olive oil (the cooking variety) into the palm of my hand and to work the brush thoroughly. After this I was able to wipe the brush with another paper towel and was totally amazed to see that the brush came up almost empty of colour. One more dip into the olive oil, a quick wipe and the job was done, brush clean.
My brushes now stay cleaner, softer and I do not have the smell of spirits or thinners in my studio other than when I’m doing a little thinning or mixing. My hands are also in better condition and I spare them the exposure to chemicals.
That wasn’t so hard now was it? I may have exceeded my word count by 100 but even at a moderate reading pace you should have got through this blog in about 4 min, certainly within my time goal.
I will close this blog wishing all those who regularly subscribe to it or stumble upon it a very prosperous and creative New Year. Creativity demands expression, enjoy the journey.
I’m working on a simple rule this year, whether I am producing marketing materials, corresponding with friends and clients or even chatting on the telephone, before I write or speak I need to choose my words like my colours. This should ensure that I get the best mix for the quickest and most effective delivery. Contrary to what some marketing and communications specialists believe, long copy just does not do it any more for people who are already plugged into so many information streams. I aim to keep blogs below 500 words, about 3 to 5 min reading and in that time to skilfully make the best use of my words to communicate my experiences, tips or opinions. Here goes, wish me luck I only have 159 words left.
The best tip I had in 2012:-
Herman Jansen van Vuuren, a friend, artist and paint maker who is passionate about recycling and the environmental effects of solvents and solutions, was horrified to see that I was cleaning my brushes in turpentine, thinners and spirits. I simply had never considered that there were better options.
Herman suggested that I load a large brush with phthalo blue oil paint until it was totally saturated. He then instructed me to take a paper towel and remove as much paint as I could. Then he asked me to pour about one and a half tablespoons of olive oil (the cooking variety) into the palm of my hand and to work the brush thoroughly. After this I was able to wipe the brush with another paper towel and was totally amazed to see that the brush came up almost empty of colour. One more dip into the olive oil, a quick wipe and the job was done, brush clean.
My brushes now stay cleaner, softer and I do not have the smell of spirits or thinners in my studio other than when I’m doing a little thinning or mixing. My hands are also in better condition and I spare them the exposure to chemicals.
That wasn’t so hard now was it? I may have exceeded my word count by 100 but even at a moderate reading pace you should have got through this blog in about 4 min, certainly within my time goal.
I will close this blog wishing all those who regularly subscribe to it or stumble upon it a very prosperous and creative New Year. Creativity demands expression, enjoy the journey.