5d - Graeme Smith - Bog

The Flowers group is divided into three pathways.The focus is on the transition from experimenting to becoming an artist.Once you have done the hard yards this is an easy and natural step.The first follows the REALISM path.This continues from the previous pattern of experiments.The focus is on photographs and pictures as a basis for a search for reality.The second pathway is based on OBSERVATION.This focus is more traditional but a foundation was laid in MMM experiments.The third pathway is linked to your IMAGINATION.This focus is more personal but again a foundation from the MMM experiments.Perhaps you want to try them all?Then follow the sequence of MMM experiments outlined for logical progression.Only two pathways are possible if your MMM focus is NOT observable.Follow either / or both of the Realism and Imagination pathways.BUT you could follow just one of the pathways?What if your particular MMM focus is not be one of those template Groups!That's not really a problem - select the one that's closest.For example if your focus is on fairies choose the People Group.Then substitute fairies for people when creating your MMM experiments.But your focus is quite different - say World War 1 military aircraft?There's no group anything like that.Just select a group and substitute your focus for whatever is already there.Your MMM experiments are like the athletes training program.Like an Olympic athlete if you want to stay at the highest level you keep training.Your MMM experiments become a normal routine.So you need to be able to construct YOUR OWN MMM experimental programs.By now this should not be difficult.Then training never stops.Perhaps start each day with a short period of experiments.Then move to your main artistic tasks.By actually painting you understand how to do what you want to!There's no other way for you learn by doing.You do not learn by someone telling you what to do.That way you only learn they know what to do and if you get stuck ask them.By now you should have an experimental attitude.You are scientific about your art learning so set yourself challenges.See what happens here when you do this?Magic Multiple Miniature experiments can be copied many times too.Then you can compare different experiments with the same image.This highlights learning that would otherwise take much longer.Use ONE MMM experiment as a template for a series of explorations.Use the same materials in different combinations (black, grays, white).Use different materials entirely (pencil, felt pen).Do DIFFERENT MMM experiments as a basis for a series of explorations.Use the same element combinations (black, grays) on each one.Use the same materials each time (pencil, felt pen, paint).Explore further according to your curiosity.For example an MMM experiment could be printed on gray or coloured paper.You could even distort the MMM image!Don't worry about whether you are doing the experiments correctly.Do something and it's just about certain to be right.In the process you'll discover whatever you find out.Once you begin, you can alter or change what you have done.It's better to do something and be wrong, than do nothing.Mistakes can be corrected, and you learn what not to do at the same time.An experiment does not even have to be finished!Knowledge grows from your experience for this is what real learning is about.Most importantly any discoveries are yours.They're part of actual experience rather than just part of following instructions.Your experience and confidence grows for the more you do the better you'll get!Random starts do not necessarily have to be the case.You can plan your starts.But take time, don't rush enjoy the experience and see what you can find out.