Creating movement in your paintings: how to

As painters, we often strive to create a sense of movement in our work – whether it’s the illusion of a figure in motion, or a landscape that seems to flow before the viewer’s eyes. But how do we achieve this effect?

One way to create the illusion of movement in a painting is to use a technique called ‘implied movement’. This is where the artist uses elements such as line, shape and colour to suggest movement, without actually depicting it directly.

For example, you could use diagonal lines to imply movement, or repeated shapes to create a sense of rhythm and flow. Alternatively, you could use contrasting colours to create a sense of movement – think of how a zebra’s stripes appear to blur as it runs past.

Another way to create movement in your paintings is to use actual movement – that is, to physically move the paint around on the canvas to create a sense of flow. This can be done with a brush, or even with your hands.

Experiment with different techniques and see what works best for you – there’s no right or wrong way to do it. And don’t be afraid to experiment – you never know what you might create!