What kind of music do you listen to while painting?
 

Music inspires me a lot!

I read that Sargent played the piano to distract his models and also to inspire himself with energy to work.

I usually listen to Mozart and Rossini when I need to be quick, Beethoven when I'm painting something dramatic, Vivaldi when I don't care about time, and other composers depending on my mood...

And you guys? I would like to know what you listen to while painting!

What kind of music
 

Music is important to me when I paint also, Claudemir.
My moods fluctuate frequently. Several weeks ago it was Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline. Then I went into a Fats Domino period, then I shifted to the Moody blues, this week it was Santana.

Thanks Henry for the reply,

It seems to me that not many artists like to listen to music while painting, they don't what they've been missing, it's a powerful way to get inspiration to produce art.

Happy painting...

Bonfim, you

Hi Allan,

That's interesting, among the few artists who told me about their preferences, you're the first one who mentioned the radio.

Now I'm curious about the Danish radio stations.

Lykkelig billede, (happy painting... Is that right?)

Hello Claudemir,

I listen to music.
Lately I have been listening to music that is relative to my painting.
I have been painting a violin still life, so have been playing violin concertos as i paint.
Although by the end of the day, i usually play something rocky as i tidy up. :)

My teacher gave me this idea. He said that when painting an apple, he will have one close by & keep picking it up & holding it . He would even take a bite of it. By this, trying to connect with the essence of the apple.

Bonfim,

When I play the CD

I listen to the radio too, mostly because I'm at a school and have to use headphones. I usually listen to a classical music station, sometimes jazz, and sometimes contemporary Christian music. Occasionally I listen to a recorded book, but I've noticed I tend to "zone out" and miss parts of it, which makes it kind of confusing.

Very interesting Tricia, I sometimes do it too...

I love the classicals too, but I have never tried Jazz.
I try it!

Unfortunately I'm not taking a Danish Course, If some day I visit you, we will talk in English.

Thanks for the help, and...

"Nyd dit maleri".

Music and images
 

I think both art forms painting and creating music naturally blend together.

Certain musicians paint a picture when they perform, you can visualize the imagery they create with their compositions.

I agree with you Claudemir, listening to music while working is like fuel for the soul, it helps generate mood and stimulates the mind. My favorite classical musician is Mozart, in my eyes and ears he was the greatest, what a gifted man he was, I would say he was beyond genius. His compositions have a dreamlike, haunting, spiritual quality.

Good Topic Claudimir
 

I listen to a lot of different types of music. If I am feeling sluggish or sleepy I might put on some Rock just to get me going.

I listen to Classical and also Country and Blues too.

Some of my favorite's are a Flute recording of Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi, Gluck Buffardin and Mercadante. I have a CD called "The Very Best of Beethoven", it's sort of like Beethoven's greatest hits!

I also have one by Gheorghe Zamfir playing the Pan Flute, it's called Love themes from the Movies. I've played that one a lot.

Another that I recommend is "Mad About Guitars"- the greatest starts, the greatest music. It's all instrumental including something called "Portrait" by Myers. The list of artists is long, it's mostly classical including Bach.

I don't listen to the radio in the studio because it distracts me. When I listen to music I am familiar with, it kind of plays in the back of my mind and I can still focus on painting. I also ask my sitters what type of music they like. I can always find something we both enjoy.

What I listen to depends on what needs to be done in the studio at the moment and what the speed of the music is.

For painting faces, hands or anything where I need to be sure and paint slowly and carefully it's has to be a CD of all slow songs. There's a series of CD's with titles like "The Most Relaxing Piano Music in the World -- Ever!" There's a 2-CD set for classical, guitar, etc. too. Corny titles, but I can count on the fact that just about every song is slow paced.

Then for canvas stretching, tidying up or painting big simple backgrounds I can play something faster. Anything from Classical to Enya, from African music to Zydeco.

The music I listen to depends on my mood. When I go through my blue stages the music is heavy and sad, that's when Beethoven comes on.

For mellow pieces my favorites are Aria, Deep Forest Saphire Dreams, Sufi Souls.

But most of the time I play club mixes with an Arabic beat like Beduin Cafe, Louie De Vito, Arabic Lounge, etc. When I listen to music with drum beats I usually start to dance around, which really helps me to loosen up and step away from the easel.

Bonfim,

Once, when doing some croquis drawing, the music was some Brazil or Argentine Accordion music that was very incitating. Unfortunately I did not get the musicians name. The music was rather raw and very varied. Maybe you could recommend a good accordion player ?

At another occasion, I attended a croquis session performed by a Budo Dancer. That is a Japanese Art-form and accompanied by Traditional Japanese music. The model will move and hold the pose for a short interval and then move on to another pose and so on ....

Allan

Thanks everybody for your comments...

It distracts me too, I wonder how can others listen to the radio and keep on painting the whole day.

Your studio must be a very happy place at this time Michele! I'd like to strech canvas with you some day.

Definitely you cannot stretch canvas with Michele Enzie!

Allan, there are several kinds of rhythms from these players, the most famous one is "Luiz Gonzaga" and his son "Gonzaguinha" which means "little Gonzaga".
If I remember any other one, I'll let you know buddy!

A very eclectic mix. Today was Norah Jones, Keb Mo, Candy Dolpher, Debussy, Lyle Lovett, and Kaki King.

It changes every day.

Jean

Just tell me a good story
 

I almost never listen to music, but I always try to have a book on tape in the cassette player. My studio transforms into "The Garden of Eden." I miss reading (I'm a young mother). And I can stay in the chair and paint much longer if I'm being entertained.

But I must admit, there are certain points in the process where I just can't listen and think at the same time. I also experience the phenomena of looking at a painting I completed long ago and remembering the book I was listening to at the time.

Great Thread Claudemir, I always listen to some type of classical. Lately it is those gorgeous young guys 'Il Divo'. I also like ambient music like Enya, Deep Forest, Engima, etc. I just love classical guitar and a bit of lute. It always depends on what I am doing and how I feel at the time. I always choose something to lift the spirit and fuel the passion. But I am thinking lately a book on tape might be interesting to try for a change, as long as it wasn't a murder mystery.

Sounds like you and I enjoy the same kinds of music. Can you recommend any specific CD's, especially any that are fairly consistent in tempo? -- ie nothing that has a sudden fast paced song in the middle of all the relaxing stuff.

Dear Michelle

Yes I have quite an interesting selection. There is one in particular a lady by the name of Dianne Doherty she is an oboist and her music is blissful and sublime. I can play it over and over and never get sick of it. I like her album 'Souvenirs' the best one I feel, it is available through ABC here in Australia but maybe available through Universal Musical Group (Classics) outside Australia. I also like Andrea Bocelli, Tony O'Connor, Adrian Ross 'Didgeridoo Dreaming' (Didgeridoo with acoustic guitar, percussion etc) (it is very moving). I also have the same as you by the sounds of it, the best ever Classical sets, the most ever peaceful sets etc and of course, Il Divo. I think my most favourite song is 'I believe' by Andrea Bocelli, 'The prayer' by same and Mama by Il Divo, and ..... Naxos brings out a lot of classical music like John Williams and the classical guitarists. I hope this helps.

Oh, I also forgot about Lovland Earthsongs 'Secret Garden' which absolutely brilliant, gentle, caressing, inspiring sublime ambient music that will take you places.

If you like Enya, try Loreena McKennitt. She will lift you even higher into the heavens. :)

Thanks Tricia, I will try to find her. If you hear of any more music like who I mentioned earlier, I would appreciate more suggestions. I am always on the lookout for new and interesting music.

Thanks Tricia, I will try to find her. Do you know where she is from?

If you hear of any more music like who I mentioned earlier, I would appreciate more suggestions. I am always on the lookout for new and interesting music.

Thanks, Ngaire and Tricia!

Michele,

I also like African music. Especially from Mali and Senegal. Not sure exactly what style you like but here are a few I really enjoy. Oumou Sangare, Pape & Cheikh, Orchestra Baobab, and Mamani Keita & Marc Minelli.

Hi Enzie,

I think we would have a lot of fun if we were ever to paint together. Although we'd probably get more dancing done than painting! Love club mixes too, and listen to techno and loungy techno. Thanks for listing the ones you listen to, I will try to find them.

Its a pretty eclectic mix here too. Lots of world music, mostly African and South American, classical, techno, the Beatles, jazz, to Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole, and the radio some times too.

I also like African music, especially fast stuff for when I work out. I have a CD called "Les Quatres Etoiles de Zaire" that's good for exercising, but is much too fast for me to paint to.

I had a teacher who used to quote somebody who said something to the effect of... "If I listen to classical music when I paint, it makes me think I'm painting much better than I am!" Notice I only half listened to my teacher while I was painting because I can't remember who he said, said that.

I find a certain musical quality in the sound of my brush on the canvas and the sound of my breathing when I paint. This is when I'm "in there" = inside the painting. I guess at that point I am the painting and it is me. Nothing else exists. There are times, however, when I'm not ready for that level of immersion, then I listen to blue grass, soul, or classical music.

Jen said when she looks at a painting she sometimes remembers the book she was listening to at the time she painted it. I have the same thing happen when I play the piano. If a thought occurs on a certain note when I am learning a new piece, that thought will forever repeat itself at exactly that note every-time I play the song. Funny thing the brain is.