Lesson 31
1. Thought
"Despite his growing career, Malett [well-known dog portrait
artist] feels that his measure of success is on the canvas, not
in his bank account. 'I would really rather be a good artist and
completely unknown that a mediocre one who is well known.' he
says. 'I just try to be a better painter, and if I do that, I
know things will be all right.' " American Artist, July 92
p. 20
2. Word for the week:
ARTISAN: n. [F., fr. It. artigiano.] 1. Obsolete. An artist.
2. One trained in some mechanic art or trade.
(Note: I find it interesting that this word is not in the North
Light Dictionary and is an obsolete term for artist according
to the Webster's. At some point in the past, artisans were considered
artists. What happened? Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary of the
English Language contains both terms, with only a slight difference
in meaning, the term artist including One skilled in the fine
arts; as a painter, sculptor, architect, etc.
3. Practice: "Learning bears fruit when it is applied."
In the early lessons, I ask that you concentrate on using values
to define the picture plane, because most of us have more of a
history of using line as a shorthand for seeing. But now that
you have worked with value as a means of defining shape and edges,
bring line back in as a calligraphic and visually interesting
element. For homework, try doing a "contour drawing"
of an object or face. (This can also be a "blind contour
drawing") You are familiar with contour maps. Treat the object
you decide to draw as if it were geographical, and your drawing
instrument a moving point (perhaps an ant) on the surface of that
object. The effect can be quite interesting. Try it and we'll
discuss.
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