From Sketchbook to Large Paintings: How Ideas Develop

In this video, I share my latest work in progress and show how I can trace its origins back to sketchbook work from last year and earlier this year.
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[@leighhudson9340]

Louise I love this so much. Our work is so deeply personal it’s difficult to explain it in terms of do this then do that. If we were to approach it that way we would be replicating other people’s work. I love how you get it. Our work as artists is to figure out what questions to ask and then answer them for ourselves. Problem solving is what we do. It’s very helpful to have you validate that! And even though you aren’t telling us what to do when, just hearing your process helps immensely. Bless you for sharing this wealth of wisdom!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome and I am glad you enjoyed it!

[@shanfazelbhoy9491]

and also the words and thoughts after going through the paintings are just so true.

[@kvadams9538]

Louise, you are a ray of sunshine for someone who's 'finding her feet' in painting's creativity. Back in 2019 when participating in an art class I said to the teacher (who I'd been told would allow me to explore) that I was more of an intuitive painter; she replied 'oh, so you like to fling paint at the canvas.' Thank you for being you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

haha - what a great teacher! (not)

[@conniebyrsing9921]

Great video

[@shproductionpakistan786]

Good

[@a.humphries8678]

Gosh, that can dampen someone's creative spirit. 😞

[@poshyarn7426]

A new Louise video always makes my day! Thank you, Louise, for your generosity in letting us into your painting life. Can’t wait for your book.

[@poshyarn7426]

And now that I’ve watched it….. LOVE the new direction! Serendipity, I started a panel similarly this week, with a neutral collage layer, completely the opposite of how I would normally activate the canvas with a lot of dark bold line. I felt like switching it around, challenges like that are so good at kickstarting work in a new direction.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

How interesting that we started the same way!

[@poshyarn7426]

@@ThisPaintingLife It makes me wonder if Elizabeth Gilbert was onto something with Big Magic 😉

[@palwashafineart4839]

Yes! Exactly! it is very important to experiment something to know how it works because that is the way we learn!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So true!

[@lou9007]

Anyone thinking about joining the Art Tribe and not sure? I'm a member and can thoroughly recommend it, this is a common phrase but...I haven't looked back since joining, I'd been looking for years for the support and knowledge Louise shares. Everyone in the group is so supportive too :)

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks Lou :)

[@sharonstratis2846]

Loving your new series with collage and limited palette with green! That tryptic is wonderful so far. thanks for sharing your thoughts behind it, from sketchbook to panel.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks so much!

[@Behappy62]

New to channel look forward to creative art

[@pattigroome660]

Louise, seeing your process is so very helpful. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to helping fellow artists.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@i_do_notconsent4968]

"How do I abstract a landscape" is my current question, thanks to this video. How to do what YOU've done Without doing what you've done. Unburying what is inside me. There must be something there because I am attracted so much to these paintings you showed today. I adore landscapes in real life, but find painting them representationally is boring and tedious to me, and I get impatient and start using 'symbols' (really rather silly looking pine trees and rushed-over details.) You have set me off on another exploratory path, Louise! I really love you. :D

[@possiblepaintings5059]

I love belonging to Art Tribe. Thank you Louise you are amazing!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@laurabliss60]

Hooray! Great message. Going to begin a new sketchbook NOW.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful!

[@helenebonney9297]

Love you Louise. You speak to me. I’m an old artist who loves to paint and experiment and you totally inspire me to keep searching. Thank you. HELENE in Australia

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You can do it!

[@julietoye9872]

I love that abstract landscape 💖

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks Julie x

[@debbigreen9863]

Best video yet!!! Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@SingYourselfWell]

Wow. You ARE a texture girl, Louise! Just great, and thanks so much for sharing! 💖

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are welcome :)

[@philipmurphy2]

So creative, These is when KZbin takes over old broadcast TV for sure.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

thanks!

[@leilaskye8143]

How interesting when you mentioned about not getting disappointed when one gets close to the painting. Thank you for sharing.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Hi Leila!

[@TheDabshear]

Exciting and inspiring!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

thank you xx

[@lindawright4824]

you just hit the nail on the head so well, you are an inspiration...thank you so much.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@ScutoidStudios]

Good job, you're on Creators on the Rise!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@susanpriestart]

I so get excited when a visit of yours comes on x

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Aww thank you!

[@juliegriffiths4272]

Hiya, you are total inspiration, I really appreciate the way you reason and talk through your way of working. Refreshing. Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks Julie

[@berniceharmyk7856]

thank you thank you....you are a gem.....inspiring.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

thanks for watching x

[@Engelhafen]

Louise I love your mind and process. 👍🏼

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I appreciate that

[@LoriMooreThompson]

Louise, you are the best mentor and teacher. Thank you for inspiring us to find our own way!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wow, thank you!

[@LoriMooreThompson]

@@ThisPaintingLife Well deserved!

[@sharonrainey5755]

I learn something from every single posts you make. Large and so mall but all of them are interesting and fun!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awww that is so sweet of you to say. Thank you Sharon!

[@authenticallykhalid]

Amazing advice! We have to set out and answer the question which no one else could do.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So true!

[@irenehynes7536]

Fascinating methods! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for making the video!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

My pleasure!

[@johnkitching6293]

This video is brilliant, and so helpful Louise and spot on showing development of a painting through use of materials and experimentation to create a stunning image! Thank you

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jenniebaker52]

Just love watching your informative videos learn lots

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad!

[@dianecharest8365]

As always, thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

My pleasure!

[@sarahvincent5212]

So good to see you and your work again. Love what you say about answering our own questions. That's part of the fun. Its not about painting by numbers! Tem pted to join your tribe!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I hope you give us a try - it's free for 30 days so as long as you mark your calendar, you can leave if it's not for you xx

[@jeannettehofman459]

Wonderful video again, thank you Louise!

[@carolesky1383]

Fabulous process video, thank you!!! Can t wait to get back to the studio. If this is what s in Art Tribe, count me in! 👏👏🙆‍♀️🎨🎨🎨💓

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're in!

[@sarawelder1]

So many good ideas and tips here. You give permission to play , explore and mess up on the way and I love that.Thank you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@annrubino6252]

This is the heart of an artist - so beautifully expressed. Thank you, Louise.

[@barbbell2424]

So much truth in this video. No, you're not being glibb'ish. I love hearing that everything is a process from the inside out and I understand to not confuse simple with easy. I love your encouragement to explore and learn. Thank you so much for your honest guidance and direction.

[@bonniemiller3587]

Thoroughly amazing! I’m one of those people who want to know ‘how’ and now I know the answer. And by the way…you are right about the likes of us having a lack of confidence!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Confidence comes through simply doing it

[@learnrelearn]

Thank you for sharing how your organize your daily studies. Organizing the pieces parts I have collected and created over time is a mess for me - pack rat style. After your video I can see how I can organize my thoughts into a coherent method, that is thoughtful and useful to me going forward. You are a gift to creatives. Thank you for sharing. HUGE THANK YOU!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@joycebotie223]

Thank you for sharing YOU! Every video leaves me motivated and inspired and teaches me to be me!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That is awesome!

[@jackilong7608]

Thanks so much for sharing, you are terrific!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you Jacki!

[@AmysCreativeArt]

Wow. Absolutely Stunning work. So much to look at. Just FABULOUS 💜💜💜👍🥰

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much!

[@angelawallismoore2283]

I love your work and your gift for explaining your process. Very inspiring. Thank you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much!

[@sheilagreenall1165]

Oh Louise I've missed you. Your new work is amazing as always. 🤗💕

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! 😊

[@angelamezzatesta6435]

Beautiful work Louise. Thankyou for sharing your process.

[@vivekagudmundsson9624]

Ohhh my god ..thank you. Just what i needed. You are the best.take care.hugs from sweden.🥰

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You’re welcome 😊

[@jeaninebrownpaints2025]

Louise, I just love how you describe what you are trying to achieve in your work, (not trying, you do acheive it!) you are a gem. And to share so freely with those of us struggling away alone in our studios is just generous and fantastic! I feel like part of the team when I hear you describe your own journey and I am truly grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, dear Louise.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@janetbrown8342]

I just want to get going now! Thankyou Louise that was so helpful.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad!

[@paultje4874]

I love your words about finding your joy in finding your answers. Sometimes I struggle in a painting. Wanting to paint a certain structure for instance. And it is so much more fun, when there is a struggle at first. When it is there all of a sudden, after the struggling, it gives so much joy. Even when I look at a painting that is finished that are the feelings that emerge. Wow. That was hard at first, but then did this and that and look at it now!!! Thanks Louise for your video`s. Always a joy. And thank you for showing your process.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@sueevans7835]

Hello Louise, Thank you. Watching your processes, listening to your perspective and viewing your work have helped me enormously. I am gradually defining my own style, abandoning fear and having a crack at all sorts! In my art 'infancy' but growing rapidly.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Awww that's wonderful because that's what art is all about. Happy painting!

[@lanamorton5342]

Love the way you do your sketchbook with any feeling you have at the very moment and use it for a reference later. Invaluable tip. Aha moment here for me. Thanks Louise for your awesome video.

[@trinesandns4947]

Thank you for sharing your process so generously. You inspire me so much!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I'm so glad!

[@CherylK.333]

Helpful and inspirational. I'm loving the energy and colors and layering in these paintings!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you very much!

[@HarmonyThiessen]

This was a GREAT video. Thank you so much.

[@conniesolberg]

It was a breath of fresh air to find this video in my email box today. I have several paintings that need an injection of "something"-most likely just a bit of right brain loose-ness. I have started using collage elements, but very timidly, cause I didn't want it to look obvious, but seeing how bold you start out with it, and build it up/knock it back/I won't be so timid in the future. Looking forward to studio time tomorrow.....

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks!

[@mariaguillerminaayrolo1480]

So many beautiful organic forms in all your art!!!!! Thank you for sharing the process ❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks so much for your kind words! 😊

[@sandysiman]

Just watched some of your videos for the first time. Thoroughly enjoyed your ink and collages

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks so much!

[@susanneengel-schuster]

Wonder wonder wonderfull , love it! ❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@janebrannigan1325]

Liking your ideas and layering of collage . Your new work has great energy and life force! Especially the teal and green at the top of one... Thanks Louise! Thank you for sharing

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks Jane!

[@jillgoodyear7716]

Always an inspiration. Love the look of the new work.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@chrismatheson4367]

Lovely! Lovely! Lovely! You now have a new subscriber.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Welcome aboard!

[@suenorrisart]

You are my inspiration at the moment. My work at present is about history, which I build with layers that I scrape back and I loved watching this because you were speaking to the heart of my current work... but I'm a bit stuck, and you've given me some spark back. Thank you 😊

[@pujalin5525]

thank you Louise, for your authenticity in you and in your art. i love what you have been sharing. 🙏 ❤️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome

[@rhondaviau-caron3322]

Thank you thank you thank you for sharing your deepest insights.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome Rhonda. Thanks for watching! ♥

[@4paws70]

I love your work thank you for sharing

[@jeanrawlins9996]

Thank you so much for an extremely interesting insight into the long process of how you make your beautiful pieces of work for us to enjoy!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@adrianachristensen5901]

Your videos are amazing. I love them , you express the things I don't have the words to say. Thanks 🙏

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So nice of you

[@gwentellier7959]

Love your process. I can watch this video over and over. Really inspiring. Thank you, love it.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it! ♥

[@yokemelissant9098]

Thank you so much much sharing your process. By seeing your sketchbooks it gives me so much energy to go on working in my studio. So that's where I will go now...

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You can do it!

[@SongbirdCollageArts]

Thanks for giving us a peek into your creative process!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are most welcome!

[@annsharman1711]

Loved this - thanks!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad!

[@kathystewart2642]

Another great video Louise - thank you. So much to think about and be inspired by.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I am glad you enjoyed it x

[@priscillawrites6685]

Thank you for showing us your process

[@ThisPaintingLife]

My pleasure 😊

[@maureenknight3863]

wow...stunning

[@suemills8834]

These pieces are stunning! And I love what you said about, you want to know how to abstract a landscape, go find out! I'm starting on this journey and have a long way to go and it's exciting. I love watching your videos and hearing your great advice. Thank you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Wonderful!

[@loreleihopkinsart]

I thank you so much Louise! Very profound and helpful content for us who are in search of meaning and inspiration. I am joining!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I can't wait to get to know you :)

[@denisebarmak3559]

Thank you, Louise! You are such an inspiration. I look forward to your new book in October, and more books to come.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@_sandits]

You're doing great!

[@jenlambert4643]

Thank you, so real, SO helpful

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're so welcome!

[@user-ks2is9zi7d]

Thank you Louise!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're so welcome!

[@JaniceFeist-ev2jw]

I love your work, and I love how you approach it. Thank you for the spark that I need :)

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@jilliantoombs6975]

Hi Louise! I am a listener and lover of Art Juice, I love listening to you and Alice, and I am so delighted to have found you here on KZbin! I have not seen your work up close like this before, and I am truly blown away by the vivacity and depth you've created in your paintings. They make me feel like I'm on the moors. 💚 Fantastical work. This video hit on some things my little artist heart needed to hear today, so thank you for sharing this peak into your process, and your lovely (and frank and honest) insights.

[@JoyceDillon]

I love this. So helpful.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@susiedraper8543]

THIS IS SO INSPIRING. Thank you Louise. You are truly helping me to find my voice.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Oh how wonderful!

[@kimlarsen1387]

What an inspiration!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@susanfox7495]

Thanks so much for making this video and sharing your process-I am so interested in how you use your sketchbooks to explore, capture your feelings on paper and play with color. There are many things I don’t know yet about making my art with paint and collage, but after taking your taster course and joining the Art Tribe in the early summer, I have so much more confidence to just BEGIN, to experiment, be curious and to put aside the expectation of perfection…life lessons! I love those deep greens and beautiful creams in your new paintings!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That's great - that's how you'll find your way :)

[@marlagershkoff54]

Really love how you are building such wonderful layers with collage, paint, and sanding. Can definitely feel the energy you are creating in these paintings!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much!

[@perinilan4364]

Totally inspired by this video to continue my creative endeavours, especially when I’m experimenting. I love how you showed us several sketchbook examples and the larger paintings, explained the process and what you like in them.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I'm so glad it was helpful

[@SharonLynnWilliams]

A wonderful video -thank you! I especially love that you have stated in the past you hate green, but stuck through with it until you found YOUR way to use YOUR green! Very inspirational, especially in how to use a sketchbook to generate ideas.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you!

[@tannaorr4133]

Fabulous video! Gorgeous colors and marks! Thank you for sharing your amazing creativity!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@lindsayholman]

Thank you for this video and sharing your thoughts

[@ThisPaintingLife]

My pleasure!

[@heidiehlers6740]

Great insight. That's your job as an artist!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

It really is!

[@suzevanleeuwen3761]

WOW Louise I like this last paintings very much, this layering to make it really intersting, a lot of work but a beautiful journey!!! It inspires me to start in a different way and do a lot of exploring. Thanks again.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Have fun exploring!

[@marthakaplan6367]

Love this video - thank you

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@judithclendenning4146]

Great video.. thank you, thank you Louise. Your videos always get my creative juices going! This was so interesting 🎶💕😃

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad!

[@shanfazelbhoy9491]

Love the work and also the sketchbooks😃

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much 😀

[@AquaLumenStudio]

As always Louise, I love you your work, your creativity and generosity! I haven’t watched any of your videos for so long as life has been soooo busy, but am really glad I did…. Cheers and thank you! 💚

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much!

[@cateh4772]

Louise you are an absolute inspiration- you’ve awakened something in me I didn’t even know was there and at 50 this is what I want to with my time….. find my own abstract expression style and be able to put it on paper - Thankyou so much 💕

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome and happy painting!

[@judithgillam5074]

Louise - you are amazing ! I absolutely love listening to your awe-inspiring talks , and watching the emotion spill into everyone of your abstracts . Thank you so much ! Kind regards - Judi - Australia

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you Judith!

[@kathleenwetsel6510]

Thank you Louise for your wonderful explanation at the end of the video about finding my own voice or style as an artist. If you told me to do Step 1, then 2 then 3 and I followed that instruction I would be disappointed in the results. I will try to remember your instruction as I practice my art. Also, thank you for admitting that sometimes you create "rubbish" before you eventually get it right. - Kathleen Wetsel. Artbykathleen

[@ThisPaintingLife]

I OFTEN create rubbish!!