In art, we are often told to restrict our palette—the colors we used to paint with—but why is that? Well, it’s a metaphor for life: a palette of colors is something we have to choose from, while a restricted palette helps us choose better. Restricting a palette allows us to define our own personal style so that we can begin to create a unique artistic vision—one that is truly ours.
We have all had that moment when we are staring at a blank canvas, struggling to find the right colors or the right brushstrokes to make that painting we have been working so hard on. It is inevitable but so very tempting to grab the first colors you think of and get started. Sometimes, that is the right move, but for many of us, the blank canvas will never be truly blank if we don’t think about how we paint it.
Artists tend to have a very particular set of preferred mediums. Whether it’s watercolors, metal sculptures, or even hand-pulled oil paintings, they are known to gravitate towards the mediums that they are most comfortable with. You won’t find many painters who say they’re most comfortable with watercolors, though you will find a lot of them who say they gravitate to oil paintings.
As a creative person, you want to express yourself creatively. But, the goal of any creative process is to find your own unique style. So, how do you know when you are really on to something? If the feeling that comes over you when you’re doing something new is that you know it’s “your thing,” then you’re on the right path to finding your muse.
Art inspires us. It is a form of expression that has the ability to be simultaneously both personal and universal. It is also often used to express one’s emotions. There is something magical about art. It is a type of art that only a select few possess in their natural form, but we all have a muse. Where does that come from? When you find your muse, you can produce art that is truly beautiful and meaningful.
When you’re looking for your muse, it can be difficult to know where to begin. You may feel like you’ve tried everything or that you’re just not making progress. You may feel stuck because you’re not sure why you’re not finding your muse. What if you could find your muse simply by restricting your palette to colors you tend to avoid?
Trends are a dime a dozen in art, but the art world is still filled with social-climbing artists who want to show up other artists. (I’m often one of them). It’s easy to justify this kind of behavior by claiming it’s in service of “greater art,” but it’s more likely that it’s all about the ego. The truth is that there’s nothing wrong with trying to find your own style and pushing into unchartered new territory.
Oh, art, you are so wonderful and so boring. Nobody knows exactly what art is or how it should be created. The definition of art is always changing, evolving, and everyone has their own opinion in the end. That is why we all have different opinions about art. Some think it’s about commerce and marketing, and others think it is those who can afford it. Some think it is a form of expression, while others think it is a social phenomenon. Some think it is a form of technology, while others think of art as a form of self-expression. In the end, art is an aspect of life that is often misunderstood.
Sometimes we hear about people who are so attached to their particular style of art that they never stop to think about looking for inspiration elsewhere, in other media. This may be because they are so close to something they love that they never think about what else is out there or because they are scared to stray from their favorite medium.
One of the advantages of a restricted palette is that it forces you to take a few chances and reach beyond your comfort zone. In this way, a restricted palette forces you to use your imagination. When you limit yourself, you can be more creative and take more risks. You can draw inspiration from the world around you and find ways to express yourself. But, if you want to become a professional artist, you have to develop your imagination.
