Imagine Observe - Graeme Smith - Bog

Limited materials will encourage more thoughtful responses.Creativity, an ability to do most with least, is developed.In art as in science the task of combining many variables is highly skilled.Repeat something rather than use too great a variety of materials.The artist, during the act of creating a work is expressing something.Expression is a unique personal action.For example 3 artists attempt to paint the same subject exactly as seen.They will finish with three different works.The differences can be attributed to the various artists' expression.Their works are symbols for this expression.Expression is related to emotion.Although the individual may not be conscious of what that emotion is.The presence of emotion creates a tension (a feeling).The tension isn't emotion, but an awareness of an emotional state.Expression is bringing into perceptual form symbols for the awareness.It is thus related to that the underlying emotional state.The expressive act is not necessarily related to any particular audience.There's a difference between intended arousing emotion in an audience.This is manipulative and a form of communication.A similar arousal can be the result of expression.Such expression denotes and belongs to an individual.It is actually a characteristic of individuals.It isn't a form of communication but observers often mistakenly think so.Expression and exhibiting symptoms of emotion are different.Expression is necessary for artistic activity, a personal reaction to a stimulus.Symptoms of emotion are what an observer sees.Maybe manipulation of appropriate symbols without motion at all (an actor).The relationship between an artist and the work is thus a personal one.It's linked to an inner state of the artist prior to and when creating.That may ultimately be a work of art.It doesn't really matter what you do at the start.The most important thing is to actually do something.Let's see what happens here when I do this?Random starts do not necessarily have to be the case.You can plan your starts.But take your time.Don't rush enjoy the experience and see what you can 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.Any experiment does not even have to be finished!In the process you'll discover whatever you find out.More importantly the discoveries are yours.They're part of your experience rather than just part of following instructions.Your knowledge grows from your own experiences.This is what real learning is about.Experience and confidence grows for the more you do the better you'll get!You are the judge of quality, which is a variable that changes over time.You probably have old works you thought were excellent when done.What are they like now?Continue with the subject matter you want to paint really well.That way you are continuing down the correct path (for you).Your focus is on portraits, landscapes, the sea, or whatever you fancy.Like the Californian artist don't select any animal focus on one (horse).Then even from the start you can become a specialist.You will also focus on something you are interested in.This will help maintain the necessary motivation while yo0u learn.But now you are imagining your chosen painting focus.This means you are limited to things you can actually look at.So unlike the Californian artist polar bears are out unless you are an Eskimo.You can make notes, do sketches and record what you can see.This is material you can draw on when continuing your MMM experiments.Make a habit of carrying a sketchpad or scraps of paper and a pen or pencil.The Impressionists popularized painting outdoors.However a still life arrangement is an alternative if it fits with your focus.