Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Painting

By C. LaRene Hall

I have never been a good artist. If I were to draw something, you would laugh for sure. I think most of you have heard that a picture paints a thousand words, but I want my words to paint a picture.

It’s not always easy to do. Sometimes in my mind, I can see the beautiful scene, but the description doesn’t always look like I want it to. I can picture the action, but the words are not always there. I know that if I keep working at it I can capture and manipulate words to create a vision for my readers.

Writing is an art and we need to communicate our emotions while creating suspense. If we use our senses to describe everything we can usually paint a clear picture. Everyone relates to the smell, touch, or taste of things.

Today while you are sitting at home reading this, I’m on my way to see the Volcano National Park near Hilo , Hawaii . After we see the volcano then we are going to the Rainbow Falls . Those of you who have visited this part of the world can picture it immediately in your mind. All it takes is mentioning the place, but if you haven’t been here then the writer is going to have to paint the picture for you.

A good exercise for every writer is to look at a picture and write about what you see. Eventually if you practice enough, you’ll be able to paint a beautiful landscape for your readers.

2 comments:

Hazel said...

I have been wanting to comment on this blog for some time, but kept thinking I would do it "later."
This guy really knows about "painting", whether with words or paint, it is the same. It is a matter of feeling the passion; analyzing why this scene moves you; understanding what you want to portray; and as painting requires light and shadow, warm and cool, as well a proportion, so does writing. One must, in either art form, be able to envision what it is they are trying to say, and then saying it.

Loved the blog.
Hazel Jensen

Hazel said...

Connie,
Sent my comment and then realized I had said "this GUY" instead of "this GAL." So sorry!! The sentiments are still the same!

I AM a painter, as well as a writer, and this blog really touched me in both areas.

Hazel Jensen