Drawing Effectively With Passion and Expertise

Drawing Effectively With Passion and Expertise: "Is there such a thing as an innate ability to draw well? Let's probe a little to see if we can come up with some answers.

We all know there are many people with no inherent ability to draw well but have a passion to develop their drawing skills.

Of course, drawing is more than getting an exact likeness in a portrait or figure study. Drawing as well as any other art genre is mainly about self-expression of the subject being drawn which should be as unique as one's own handwriting. It carries the artists' emotions and experiences, viewpoints and the ability to transform 3D objects to flat non-dimensional surfaces that tell a story.

An audience will respond to any art form according to their education, their experiences in life, the emotional feeling at the time of viewing the art-which can vary considerably and, more importantly, the originality in the art that tells one about the artist.

There are many art teachers who believe that formal training in drawing (as in the Renaissance period) stultifies the development of originality. This is observable in most pre-schools and the lower grades when it is passively enforced by 'This is the correct way to draw a tree.'

The final aim should not be learning to observe and draw shapes and forms accurately, but to develop a unique vision by his or her creative interpretation while making a concise statement. The fewer lines drawn mean a more concise drawing with pizzazz. Look at Rembrandt's drawings for absolute economy of line.

If you can draw really well like Rafael or Rubens then it is time to throw your guidebook in the trash can as you will no longer need guidance from any quarter.

Don't give up the disciplines of drawing well 'because it has not room in modern art' but once a firm drawing skill has been developed with accuracy, verve, simplicity of line-you can then add originality with your expertise for an impressive audience response.

The great artists knew their basics so well they did not have to think 'Now what is the best way to create this scene?' or 'What two colors make that dark hue?' because they did it on autopilot and gave intense thought to their 'message' to create an original art piece to tell a complete story.

Interestingly, Michelangelo said 'You would not think I was a genius if you knew how hard I worked!' He of course knows the basics so well-and applied originality with his expertise to create masterpieces.

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