Although I am in awe of artists that can copy reality like a camera, amazed and astounded by their ability to paint reality, I am perplexed at the same time. If I really thought about it, I have a many excellent cameras, so if I wanted to have a realistic bowl of fruit in a crystal dish - I, myself, could manufacture that with my digital or film camera. This is not to say that the technique of realism is without worth - It is AMAZING how a person can do that! However, without an imagination, you really don't have art, you have a human copy "machine". My definition of Art has always been: "The tangible evidence of one's imagination", Imagination being the operative word. Art is an illusion, a distortion, a magnifier, an eraser - it is whatever you think it is - at the time; nevertheless - without the artist's interpretation why bother in its creation? At least that is what I believe at the moment. Truly, I wish I COULD paint realism so perfectly that it went beyond real... hmmm... Surreal!? I guess that has already been done.
Imagination in any case does not stand alone it has a playmate - technique. Technique allows the artist to explore new and exciting ways to produce the ordinary more plainly or elaborately, but certainly technique allows manipulation of a subject, the way artists want it to affect their audience. There are so many types of art media today, and more being created every moment that to come up with something new is almost impossible, however (oh there's that word again)... one can always use the media in different ways and styles! Drawings can be achieved in a multitude of media, not just graphite. Look at the Cave Paintings of Lascaux -not only were these drawings created without the use of our modern pencils or computer drawing tablets, but color was incorporated without the use of digital media or paintbrushes or paint as we know it today. If you are new to the art-world give yourself the opportunity to try something different... Instead of using a pencil, use a marker or a wax pencil (watercolor pencil), crayon, or ballpoint pen - or merely (and literally) scratch the surface (like watercolor paper, wood, plexiglass,or something you just "happen to find") before using color. If you normally use a paintbrush, what about trying a feather or a leaf or a small cluster of leaves, or go back in time (so to speak) and use your fingers, elbows, toes, etc! Experimentation is the key to finding your niche, the key to finding a technique that sparks recognition of its creator (ummm... that would be you). Copying works of art is a great way to learn techniques and styles from other artists, but remember that it is necessary to develop one's own style perhaps by making another's technique work for you, in a different way. It is similar to musicians and singers that make popular or standard music "their own".
Nate Pruitt, an incredible vocalist and my voice Professor in college, always said (as we sang to "canned" music) "Make it your own". Really, if you can make something as inflexible as pre-recorded music "your own" you can make ANYTHING work for you!
So budding artists out there... It's great to copy a technique for the purpose of learning, but then put your very own, special twist on it to ruly make it truly Your Own, Recognized, Original Artwork.
I sincerely wish everyone an exciting and fun filled experience with art!
Imagination in any case does not stand alone it has a playmate - technique. Technique allows the artist to explore new and exciting ways to produce the ordinary more plainly or elaborately, but certainly technique allows manipulation of a subject, the way artists want it to affect their audience. There are so many types of art media today, and more being created every moment that to come up with something new is almost impossible, however (oh there's that word again)... one can always use the media in different ways and styles! Drawings can be achieved in a multitude of media, not just graphite. Look at the Cave Paintings of Lascaux -not only were these drawings created without the use of our modern pencils or computer drawing tablets, but color was incorporated without the use of digital media or paintbrushes or paint as we know it today. If you are new to the art-world give yourself the opportunity to try something different... Instead of using a pencil, use a marker or a wax pencil (watercolor pencil), crayon, or ballpoint pen - or merely (and literally) scratch the surface (like watercolor paper, wood, plexiglass,or something you just "happen to find") before using color. If you normally use a paintbrush, what about trying a feather or a leaf or a small cluster of leaves, or go back in time (so to speak) and use your fingers, elbows, toes, etc! Experimentation is the key to finding your niche, the key to finding a technique that sparks recognition of its creator (ummm... that would be you). Copying works of art is a great way to learn techniques and styles from other artists, but remember that it is necessary to develop one's own style perhaps by making another's technique work for you, in a different way. It is similar to musicians and singers that make popular or standard music "their own".
Nate Pruitt, an incredible vocalist and my voice Professor in college, always said (as we sang to "canned" music) "Make it your own". Really, if you can make something as inflexible as pre-recorded music "your own" you can make ANYTHING work for you!
So budding artists out there... It's great to copy a technique for the purpose of learning, but then put your very own, special twist on it to ruly make it truly Your Own, Recognized, Original Artwork.
I sincerely wish everyone an exciting and fun filled experience with art!