I was speaking to some students today, giving an introduction to art, and showed them some of my own work. Immediately, I get excitement and some believe that after spending 50 minutes with me a day, they are going to get similar results. It is then I have to explain that art is a process. A process of learning and practice.
"Think of a great athlete or musician," I tell them. "Let us maybe speak of Nelly Cruz hitting home runs, RG III running a touchdown, Michael Phelps speeding through the water while doing the difficult butterfly stroke, or how about the amazing talent of violinist Lindsey Stirling or cellist Yo Yo Ma." Some nod, some look confused, wondering how possibly RG III playing football can be connected to art. (And some ask who Yo Yo Ma is.) I then explain, "Now tell me, how well do you think Nelly Cruz could hit if he just sat on the couch watching baseball? I bet a high school baseball player could do better if that was the case." And then I explain, "How much time do you think RG III spends each day at practice?" Of course, everyone agrees that he spends hours. Even high school football players practice in the morning, during a class period, and after school and then additionally on weekends. It is then that they realize the connection: practice.
With enough practice, anyone can create decent art. Study the elements and principles of art and practice, practice, practice. Talent is only good for that last edge over others, but the talent is not worth anything if you don't practice.
I try to draw every day. I naturally draw every day. I cannot sit still for long without doodling. If I am on a phone call and there is a writing utensil and some form of paper, I am creating something.
Today, I did spend time on some art that is considered work, but I also made sure to take about an hour with the goal that I would have a sketch, the first step in planning for the beginning of new pieces for next year's show season.
"Think of a great athlete or musician," I tell them. "Let us maybe speak of Nelly Cruz hitting home runs, RG III running a touchdown, Michael Phelps speeding through the water while doing the difficult butterfly stroke, or how about the amazing talent of violinist Lindsey Stirling or cellist Yo Yo Ma." Some nod, some look confused, wondering how possibly RG III playing football can be connected to art. (And some ask who Yo Yo Ma is.) I then explain, "Now tell me, how well do you think Nelly Cruz could hit if he just sat on the couch watching baseball? I bet a high school baseball player could do better if that was the case." And then I explain, "How much time do you think RG III spends each day at practice?" Of course, everyone agrees that he spends hours. Even high school football players practice in the morning, during a class period, and after school and then additionally on weekends. It is then that they realize the connection: practice.
With enough practice, anyone can create decent art. Study the elements and principles of art and practice, practice, practice. Talent is only good for that last edge over others, but the talent is not worth anything if you don't practice.
I try to draw every day. I naturally draw every day. I cannot sit still for long without doodling. If I am on a phone call and there is a writing utensil and some form of paper, I am creating something.
Today, I did spend time on some art that is considered work, but I also made sure to take about an hour with the goal that I would have a sketch, the first step in planning for the beginning of new pieces for next year's show season.
Above is the beginnings of the sketch after just a few minutes. I am working from a small photograph I took of a friend of mine at a living history event at the Confederate Reunion Grounds in Mexia, Texas. I first hold the pencil loosely and just "feel" for the picture, creating my gesture drawing--much like an armature for a sculpture. I can best describe the action of gesture drawing as if I had an object buried in a box of sand and I had to reach in a feel around and guess what the object was. The tip of the pencil remains on the paper for most of this. I draw lightly knowing I will erase most of this first drawing.
After about 30 minutes, this is what I have. There are a few things I will probably tweak and I might work on a few more details, but my goal is not for a finished drawing as I intend to grid and enlarge onto a scratchboard. I will try to post updates as this piece progresses.
Hopefully you will feel like getting out a sketchbook and practicing a bit after reading. Happy drawing!
Hopefully you will feel like getting out a sketchbook and practicing a bit after reading. Happy drawing!