Gesture Paint, Captain (2026)
Saturday, September 5
Monday, August 31
Wednesday, August 26
Monday, August 17
Objectivity and Subjectivity
Discipline Is a ScamNever in my life have I ever woken up and told myself I want to study art. I think that studying art is tedious and only encourages burnout. Art and the act of creating are practice itself. Finding time and motivation to draw is another skill. Expanding your visual library will help you improve. Even without consistent practice, absorbing other people's artwork besides your own will help you become better.
When beginner artists step through the door, they have this mindset: I have to learn fast, or I want to learn how to draw this now. In reality, it takes years to improve and be at a decent/okay level. When an individual reaches mastery, they're always going to expand and deviate. Mastery is the dance floor and the pen in the music. They develop art that they never expected or were interested in. Many early artists develop an objective standpoint, only to refine it as they improve. As an individual develops their artistic fundamentals, style, and taste, their mindset toward art becomes more subjective and flows more into their interpretation of their personal work and others.
Subjectiveness and objectivity in art are complementary, but some artists may lean one way or the other, and those viewpoints are valid.
When individuals gravitate toward an objective standpoint, it's often because their art is technical or very forward, and they base its structure on fundamentals. Individuals who lean toward the subjective side of art are willing to experiment and learn different techniques. The greatest thing about having a subjective view of art is that you can appreciate different types of art and, believe it or not, give yourself grace when a piece doesn't come out the expected way. The objective and subjective standpoints will improve your art.
It doesn't matter who the individual is or their level of artistic skill. Both will still encourage you to improve, just in different ways. One note about objectivity in art: learning the fundamentals and the basics will help you communicate art better. I see people argue over which artistic view is beneficial, but boiling it down to having both in an artistic journey will only expand skill. I enjoy abstract art, but I don't create it myself. I deeply appreciate it. Some people don't understand it or gravitate toward a more objective view because it's easier to understand, and visual literacy isn't hard to comprehend.
Tagging along, a personal note: I hate studying art. I don't like it; anatomy and form are my worst enemies. I believe in the more natural process of becoming, and then refining. Some individuals like to force art, but I don't. For me, it just encourages burnout and exhaustion. After periods where I do attempt to study, I find myself exhausted.
To improve art, just draw. I don't study, but I draw often, and this is practice. Implementation is always better than an authentic practice. This is what I've learned about myself. If I implement it, I can do it. With art, if a person is willing to improve anyway, they expand and get exposed to different artists. You pick up on these subconscious ideas, and they get implemented in their work. I have a much more subjective view of art than I used to.
When people ask, especially early artists, how they can improve, I don't tell them to practice. I never do that. It's always discouraging to hear, and I hate that response directed towards me too. I tell them, "Just draw what you like. Just implement the fundamentals and the things that you enjoy drawing." That in itself is disguised as practice: implemented practice.
Drawing what you like motivates you to keep going on your artistic journey.
Objectiveness in art means learning fundamentals and doing the basics, which helps people talk about and communicate art better. Subjectiveness is expanding the view, to learn, to try, and to understand. I'm not the best artist, but I've done enough trial and error to offer a tip.
Wednesday, August 12
Now, back at the original community college, where I started, I rushed to the advising office with my bag full of drawing supplies. I was stressed then; I hated the fact that the advisors heard the weakness in my voice when I explained my condition. Strictly, I was told to reach out later today, around five in the evening. It's twelve noon, and I don't own a car. To pass the time, I lingered through the library stacks of books I've already seen. Mild refreshers here and there.
I never thought that walking the pathways of a campus would be humiliating. As I speak, I am lounging in a wooden chair, writing this. The last week and the current one have been troubling for me. After I received the news that I couldn't attend the university I dreamt of—right before the week when I was supposed to depart. With tuition rates pushing my financial limits, I couldn't meet the financial requirements. Now, I must explain to my peers and family why I can't attend; I hate it. Two years' worth of college, graduating next year later than expected—I thought transferring earlier would beat the game, but I'm mistaken. Wandering would offer some degree of freedom and individuality, to put a part of my past behind me and to witness the traditional college experience. It's hard to accept that I can't for now. I craved change, but things happened, pushing back goals and ideas. Therefore, I understand if not; it's expected.
When I visited the campus in the Lowcountry, almost a month ago, it was pleasant to see the wetlands for the first time. I know I wouldn't be returning there in years; I already fought to see some body of water. I want to study the water and fish. Given everything going on, I'll focus on working and learning as much as I can to get through it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)