A few years ago I received an email via one of the Newsletters I subscribe to. This one had nothing to do with Art but had to do with self-improvement matters. I believe that I need to constantly analyze myself and check that the goal(s) I has set myself is(are) still online according to the graph of life.
Many business people take considerable time over goals and goal-setting. As an ex-engineer I had to do a great amount of that as part and parcel of my work duties. The moment the progress line on the graph showed any signs of serious deviation I had to give account of this to the management, who then asked me just how I would proceed to rectify the matter.
The heading of that email was:
Directed Dreaming with Your Eyes Open.
I don't wish to discuss the contents of that email, but rather to apply it to Art because this Blog is dedicated to helping aspiring and practicing artists. Normally the act of dreaming is taken to be when one is in bed and fast asleep. "I dreamed last night that ...." Some dreams are very vivid while others remain vague.
The art of surrealism is mainly paintings that are depicting what happens in a dream state - where we "see" things happening that in real life would be absolutely impossible. Surrealism and dreaming are very closely connected. The Little Oxford Dictionary says this of the word Surrealism: "..seeking to express subconscious activities of mind by representing phenomena of dreams, etc."
To be a true artist one needs to exercise one's imagination (thinking in images or pictures) and creativeness (the application of these thinkings). Now how does one do this? There are several ways and methods, but I feel the one of the greatest is in the act of "day dreaming". While at school my late father often called me "Dennis the Dreamer!" Today I see the results of this in my success as a highly respected art teacher and my ability to be able to transfer my expertise over to others -beginners or professionals alike. My portfolio of student's paintings is proof of this. (My website has postings of some of my students paintings)
Whatever you do, strive at excelling in creativeness and your imaginative senses. Do it by "dreaming with your eyes open". This way you will remember what goes through your mind. Doing it often enough will guarantee that the right sort of material, suitable for your art sessions, will be fed directly to your subconscious mind.
Trying you hand at Abstract painting (even if you don't like it) is a great method is exercising your mind and your creativeness. Give it a try – it can only improve your art!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Hints and Tips #1
What MUST your painting have?
1. FORM - ie., the composition must be appealing
2. INTEREST - it must capture the imagination
3. RANGE - of colours and tonal values
4. CONTRAST - play on lights against darks
5. PERSPECTIVE - both linear and colour perspective
What MUST your painting do?
1. ARREST - attention to itself and have stopping power
2. COMMUNICATE - what the artist feels to the viewer
3. DESCRIBE - a story or event
4 REWARD - enrich your and other's lives
5. LURE - the viewer right INTO the scene
1. FORM - ie., the composition must be appealing
2. INTEREST - it must capture the imagination
3. RANGE - of colours and tonal values
4. CONTRAST - play on lights against darks
5. PERSPECTIVE - both linear and colour perspective
What MUST your painting do?
1. ARREST - attention to itself and have stopping power
2. COMMUNICATE - what the artist feels to the viewer
3. DESCRIBE - a story or event
4 REWARD - enrich your and other's lives
5. LURE - the viewer right INTO the scene
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