Have you ever noticed that, when you're walking down the sidewalk and start rummaging through something in your hand, your legs suddenly start going in circles- eventhough you haven't told them to stop walking in a straight line?
Play with me a moment and take a short walk down the hallway, (before reading the next paragraph); Look down at the floor and walk to your destination. Ok, now come back with your head held high and keep your eyes on where you plan to go.
Which was easier? Unless your equilibrium is off kilter, I'm betting that your head high was easier.
Walking with your eyes on the ground gives your body the instant mode of traversing something; when you're on flat areas, this mode throws your balance off. Keeping your eyes on the horizon of your destination is something that I learned in trucking: The farther you look in the distance, the better your body and brain work together in seeing and maneuvering obstacles much faster, and more accurately, than someone who keeps their eye close in front of them.
Painting is like this, so is drawing. Instead of really focusing in on a small detail, back off and try to eyeball it from a distance. Your body will naturally adjust to the overview, even picking up those details that you are afraid you'll lose if you don't hover your chin an inch from the canvas. Your painting will improve, as a result.
I challenge you to get a pencil, or paintbrush, put your face close to the substrate, draw a circle the size of a baseball, then back off and, with a separate paper, do it with your arm extended.
Have fun!
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