The first and most obvious answer that comes to mind is great skill. But lately I've started thinking that great skill is nothing but an effect and a result of being a great painter. The will to evolve, to try new things, to dare work outside your own bounds, to dare to fail. Those are the real traits of a great painter I think. Actual skill is just a bonus that comes with time. There are great painters with close to no honed skill whatsoever, but they constantly work with a passion to surpass themselves and their greatness can't really be seen unless you look closely, see their passion and resolve and how they constantly strive to work outside the box. Those painters are in my mind the most inspiring, those that regardless of skill look at each and every challenge with enthusiasm, they see an opportunity to learn, to explore. Those are far more rare than painters with great skill. And far more important to the world of art in general.
I think it's a willingness to try new stuff. I read the 90s McVey book, learned a lot, and decided I was happy with my work. Then when I came back to painting a while later I either couldn't be bothered to find and try new methods, or when I did have the information and desire to change it up a bit I was scared (of wasting time in fruitless attempts or messing up paint jobs that I was "ok" with)
I was once told by a Canadian artist that 'Art is what you want it to be, It does not matter what people think about your work, as long as it speaks to you as the artist.' This was quite profound for me at the time (I was about 16) and it's stuck with me.
In our hobby I would say that it's 49% Technique/skill and 50% understanding of colour theory and that last 1% is knowing when to stop.
The thoughts of other should not bother us as artists, but all to often they do. We always judge our own standards compared to those of our painting heros and so our harshest critic is often ourselves in that respect.
Practice and organisation. Oh yeah and practice
ReplyDeleteUnderstanding colour balance / placement? (10ball)
ReplyDeleteI think it is the drive to always improve and to never really settle. So each piece you finish is better, in some way, than the one before it.
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ReplyDeleteThe first and most obvious answer that comes to mind is great skill.
ReplyDeleteBut lately I've started thinking that great skill is nothing but an effect and a result of being a great painter. The will to evolve, to try new things, to dare work outside your own bounds, to dare to fail.
Those are the real traits of a great painter I think.
Actual skill is just a bonus that comes with time.
There are great painters with close to no honed skill whatsoever, but they constantly work with a passion to surpass themselves and their greatness can't really be seen unless you look closely, see their passion and resolve and how they constantly strive to work outside the box.
Those painters are in my mind the most inspiring, those that regardless of skill look at each and every challenge with enthusiasm, they see an opportunity to learn, to explore.
Those are far more rare than painters with great skill. And far more important to the world of art in general.
To forge a narrative with the mini, tell a small story with the choice of colours, conversions and weathering.
ReplyDeleteStudy and directed practice applied with creativity and imagination.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a willingness to try new stuff. I read the 90s McVey book, learned a lot, and decided I was happy with my work. Then when I came back to painting a while later I either couldn't be bothered to find and try new methods, or when I did have the information and desire to change it up a bit I was scared (of wasting time in fruitless attempts or messing up paint jobs that I was "ok" with)
ReplyDeleteI was once told by a Canadian artist that 'Art is what you want it to be, It does not matter what people think about your work, as long as it speaks to you as the artist.' This was quite profound for me at the time (I was about 16) and it's stuck with me.
ReplyDeleteIn our hobby I would say that it's 49% Technique/skill and 50% understanding of colour theory and that last 1% is knowing when to stop.
The thoughts of other should not bother us as artists, but all to often they do. We always judge our own standards compared to those of our painting heros and so our harshest critic is often ourselves in that respect.
Or something like that...