Sophistication Pearls

Years ago I was attending a watercolor class and the instructor paused at my table, observing.  After a moment, he said, "you know, it's considered more sophisticated to paint objects by defining the negative spaces,"  before moving on dispensing criticism like little pearls. 

I remember what he said and have forgotten other criticisms because he identified a weakness in my approach by connecting the solution to a motive (improvement) instead of an obstacle (inexperience).

When critiquing my own work I often think about this sophistication pearl, as in "how can I create a more subtle treatment of this subject."  I don't always know the answers, but I have learned how to identify specific skills and then educate myself toward finding solutions.

Part of the adrenalin rush of creating art is finding a satisfying solution to the problems we set for ourselves.  And while we are painting for a larger audience we are, foremost, painting for ourselves. For what we want to communicate, what we can't articulate in any other way.

So when you set yourself up in advance to seeing obstacles instead of motives, you aren't looking for pearls, only bits of gritty sand.

And the only thing gritty sand is good for is itching in your bathing suit or wearing away at your ambitions, neither of which suggests a good outcome. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[S. Tschantz]

Good comments and a wise teacher, more interested in teaching and making you think, rather than being right.

[renatabarilli]

I do agree with this. For istance, when I make something wrong with one of my botanical works and I'm a bit worried about.I start thinking that everybody is able to deal with easy thing but, a clever one,like I'm tryng to be, don't stop for a mistake but try to find a solution. And so, sudenly I get it !!!!and after I say to me: if I'havent had that mistake, it sould not became so wonderfull.
So things are or became what we look for. Probably our mind makes all.
ciao renata

[Donald Fox]

Interesting that you understood the instructor's comment as a way for you to make a positive change in that painting and also as a process for change in your self critiquing. You made the minor lesson into a major one, which you have now shared with many others. Thanks.

[connie kuhnle]

Sue, Excellent reminder to self-motivate in a positive way. Well said. Thank you.