"...the real question I want to ask is more of a general question...about stylistic language with all subject matters. I have a certain way of drawing people, and those are the most important things to me in a piece..but how do you go about creating a language of drawing a building? Or a still-life? How do you match that stylistically with your figures? I ask because for a very long time now, I've wanted to paint a new still life, or go to an old, creaky house or barn and just draw it on site. But how do you find a style for that?
I think I'm asking you because you have a way of using line that can relate your illustrations to your still life's to your portraits, and so on. So how did you find that? How do you get inspired to bring all of those different subject matters into one definitive style of drawing/painting/
Just something I'm really puzzled on. I've been thinking about it alot, but wasn't sure how to word the questions. Now I think I got it down : )
I hope your holidays have been fun!"
And I hope the holidays have been fun for you all too! <3
Here's an excerpt from an essay by David Palumbo written for ImagineFX Magazine:
ReplyDelete"It's natural to want to discover your unique voice, but it's not something that can be planned or forced. A distinguishable style is the culmination of years of study, other artistic influences, and you own shortcomings. What makes you unique as an artist is the space where your aesthetic choices meet your flaws." --David Palumbo, Imagine FX Magazine Issue 60
Keeping that in mind, I'd just go to an old house or barn and paint. The more you work, the faster you'll find your personal artistic language.
Well much of what Palumbo says falls right alonside my own most heartfelt belief that style is just a veneer unless it is honest, comes from within and expresses who we are. That takes longer for some people that for others but I believe it takes a certain amount of self knowledge. Not confidence or certainty of taste but certainty of self, understanding of oneself as a person. I know why I draw like I draw. I know why I paint like I paint. Its the same reason I dont wear tee shirts with Logos on, I wear a tie to school, I listen to what I listen to and laugh at what I laugh at. Its to do with my politics, my faith and my relationship with those I love. Its because I am loved and I love what I draw. Its because I've seen what I've seen and been formed by those I've seen it with. All that sounds very pompous perhaps, you might even accuse me of being pretentious? But thats what I can see from where I sit, twenty five years down the road from where you now stand. I wouldn't have been able to claim any (or much) of that when I was an undergrad, but I wish someone had helped me to understand it. So my drawings and my paintings may seem to be coherent across a range of types of work because I have the benefit of a greater understanding of myself in relation to the subject. There's a lot to think about here and I'm not sure that I've even scratched the surface of what I have to say about it. But thats all for now.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so all that being a given, I suppose I'm asking how did YOU find your way of doing this? Not that I'm going to take the method, just curious.
ReplyDeleteI believe its also a matter of perseverance and HOW you wish to pursue your style. Some artists seek to explore selfishly and others in a most honest and observational manner(being true to themselves). As Mat said, our style is an expression and it all boils down to the unanswered question of who we are. We will never be able to fully answer this question but through the journey we can discover new likes, dislikes, beliefs, values, whats important, etc. As we grow older we change, and so does our art, whether it be grandeur or miniscule. Also, does an artist want to find a specific style just for recognition? Most artists are constantly trying to find a unique and different style that separates them other artists, for fame, i believe that to be selfish and pompous. BUt those artists that can find a style that is a sincere exploration of the self is an inspiration, and inspiration doesnt follow style, it creates it.
ReplyDeleteHa ha!. I knew this would get things going. Great question Dani. So How did I specifically do this? Thats going to take a bit of thinking and when I get home tonight I'll see what I can say about that. I certainly am not wanting to be coy about this or deliberately sidestep the issues. So let me think for a bit and I'll post later today when I have more time.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point Gabriela, and Lucas. I'd like ot know how you guys came about deciding a style for yourself when drawing architecture or still life set ups. Again, not gonna take methods! Just curious to see how everyone's minds work : )
ReplyDeleteMan this is exciting. My blood is boiling with excitement. Oh yea. Will write more, response #2 coming soon.
ReplyDeleteWell, I think that the first thing that I would say is that I have looked at a HUGE amount of art since I was a child. Just as many students at the Academy have, but certainly not MOST students at the Academy. Most people know what kind of books they like to read and have no difficulty describing them. In visual art it should be the same. I am visually literate. Visually well read. and I know what kind of work I respond to. What kind of linework. What kind of application of paint. My own style of drawing and painting (they are inseperable and indivisible components of my visual vocabulary) has grown, and continues to grow but it began with an approach to imperfect but elegant line that spoke of energy and passion. My wit/ sense of humour/ desire to surprise. An approach to "truth" and the function of art. I'm getting a bit beyond myself here. Slow down. It begins with drawing. Even though I dont use any line at all in lots of my paintings now, they are still generated by my approach to expressive edges. For me a large part of any style that I might have is through my approach to exageration, overemphasis of imperfection, big tonal range an avoidance of fuzziness but a determination to stay loose. My linework, when present, is bold, confident, expressive and hopefully slightly funny. I think of myself as three of those four too. Is this helping? I think that what I'm trying to say about truth and the world is much the same whether I'm painting a still life or a building or a nude. Or rather, I'm finding similar things to celebrate. I dont render my figures because I'm interested in the composition and the paint in the same way that I care about a bucket full of hammers, or a sign on a barn door. But I bring a different weight and delicacy to each in response to the life force in the subject. Wow I'm going on and on and going all over the place. I'll stop for the night.
ReplyDeleteNo, no, this makes sense...It seems as though the answer was right in front of me, but putting it into words has never been an easy thing for me to accomplish, so a little help goes a long, long way!
ReplyDeleteI'm figuring things out with my own art, but I've got places yet to go. Patience has yet to kick in, that's all.
At this point in time, I still feel I have not found my "niche" in style. Im still exploring. I know that I can paint in a realist manner, but how important to me is it that I spent my every breath to paint detail and the exact placement of tone,color, darks and lights? However, when I do paint like this I feel love, so then wouldnt my style be instinctive? I feel like I have a conversation with the object that Im painting almost as if we are noticing each other. I want to know more about my subject, why was it made the way it was, whats its sole purpose, what makes it unique, what makes it that specific object/person? Observation to me is like reading a book, left to right, chapter to chapter. Im fascinated with how my subject "shines" when lit. Because I have looked and worked, my style is something that came in spite of itself, therefore evidence of who I am and how I am.
ReplyDeletePerhaps style is a personal memo of what you wish to remember in your life as well as remind others of you. Style can also be a language. What do you want to say to your viewer? Ha!... So Im trilingual.
Heres a favorite quote of mine by Nathan Goldstein:
"One of the characteristics of great drawings is the artist's whole-hearted acceptance of his own style and character. It is as if the drawing says for the artist, 'Here I am.'"
Gabriela- LOVE that ending quote. LOVE.
ReplyDeleteWow. I was going to comment on this more in depth, but then i saw the massive postings of the others here already and though I would keep it short and sweet. That said, take this for what it's worth...
ReplyDeleteTrust your inner voice. Don't consider "how" to draw something, follow your instincts, trust your training. If you feel untrained or unexperienced in a specific area, experiment. Try less to find a "style" - whatever that means - and instead allow your mind's eye to guide your brush.
Doesn't that totally sound like something Obi-Wan would say?
The force is strong in you young Paduan Learner. But I sense much fear there is also. Great battles with a lobster will there be.
ReplyDeleteMat, our lobster Charles King the III (may he RIP) and his friend the crab (may he also RIP) wont be happy about this.
ReplyDeleteGreat question Dani.
ReplyDelete