Class Notes: Gettin' Loose

Things with wheels are tricky. Un huh,
but our class discussions have been more about painting technique than those pesky ellipses - (see Class Notes on drawing ellipses).
Specifically, students  want to know how to make work that appears (operative word here is "appears") loose.  The question being "How do I get loose."
Hmmm. . . .
That could be answered several ways,  but as to painting technique - almost every artist is looking for a way to make their work look fresh and effortless. This is the big irony in art - because creating "loose work" takes more thinking, greater mastery, and more discipline, than tight work.  That one, seemingly tossed-off, and perfect stroke takes more skill than many small, repeated strokes.  I believe tight, detailed work is easier than skilled loose painting. Really, if it were easy - everyone would be doing it.
Bottom line: the appearance of looseness in a painting is a viewer's perception - not a process.
Having said that  - I do have a few tips for creating the perception of looseness in your work.
1. Use a bigger brush that will not allow you to "fix" everything.
2. Don't use two strokes when one will do.
3. Never brush over the same stroke twice.
4. Show off under paint when ever you can.
5. Use "active brushwork" in large quiet areas.
6. Add hits of heavy paint in the focal area.
7. Stay mentally engaged and discipline yourself to make every stroke count.

I hear painters say, so often - "I'm trying to get loose." - it makes me laugh. My response is - "don't try - do it".
To paint in a fashion that give the appearance of effortless joie de vivre,  in fact, takes a lot of practice, and determined discipline.
Go for it!
and when someone comments on your "loose approach" - just shrug and say "it was nothing".