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A Lesson in "Stupid Drawings"
11 years ago
General
One of the most valuable art lessons I learned this year: doing "Stupid Drawings".
I have long held the misconception that, if I have any worth as an artist, that perfect drawings should just flow from my pencil. (Of course, it doesn't, and abandoned art languishes in a folder for years.)
Attending an Ian McCaig workshop at Spectrum Fantastic Art Live changed that. He emphasized the importance of doing "Stupid Drawings" -- drawings that concentrate on putting together ideas without worrying about making a gorgeous piece of art. He even writes "Stupid Drawing" at the top of his sketches as a reminder. "Stupid Drawings" organize the framework of what will eventually become the finished art.
I still get frustrated that a finished piece of work doesn't just "happen" -- that it takes steps -- yes, "Stupid Drawings." But if an artist from LucasArts and a Spectrum Grand Master winner develops his art this way, then I suppose I can cringe my way through my "stupid drawings". I just need to remember that this is not finished work -- rather, I'm developing potential building materials for the finished art.
Perhaps, for all of us creative types, there also might be "stupid writing", and "stupid music", and...
(BTW: http://spectrumfantasticartlive.com/)
I have long held the misconception that, if I have any worth as an artist, that perfect drawings should just flow from my pencil. (Of course, it doesn't, and abandoned art languishes in a folder for years.)
Attending an Ian McCaig workshop at Spectrum Fantastic Art Live changed that. He emphasized the importance of doing "Stupid Drawings" -- drawings that concentrate on putting together ideas without worrying about making a gorgeous piece of art. He even writes "Stupid Drawing" at the top of his sketches as a reminder. "Stupid Drawings" organize the framework of what will eventually become the finished art.
I still get frustrated that a finished piece of work doesn't just "happen" -- that it takes steps -- yes, "Stupid Drawings." But if an artist from LucasArts and a Spectrum Grand Master winner develops his art this way, then I suppose I can cringe my way through my "stupid drawings". I just need to remember that this is not finished work -- rather, I'm developing potential building materials for the finished art.
Perhaps, for all of us creative types, there also might be "stupid writing", and "stupid music", and...
(BTW: http://spectrumfantasticartlive.com/)
Kinda like Minecraft in a way.