The character in my today's painting means "flower". It is in the "Cao" style of the calligraphy. This kind of writing has became a pure art form and it is so much deviated from everyday writing. I painted a rose to go with it.
These a couple of weeks after I came back from San Francisco, I spent most of my time trying to improve my figure work. On the foundation I established at AAU I worked on anatomy and human structure seriously, practiced with oil and charcoal. I am really trying to bring my figure work into a level so I can feel comfortable to show my figure paintings to the public. However, I have not reached the goal I want. The only conclusion I got so far is that the learning curve of the figure painting is MUCH longer than I thought. Keep improving is my only choice. Many people wrote to me: "Qiang, you are too hard on yourself, and you figure work is good enough". Well, to be honest with you, I don't think so.
You may have this kind of experience: you joined a local life drawing group, drawing (or painting) figure every week. Many years have passed, but you still doing almost the same, Hardly can tell the difference of the work of yesterday and of two years ago. One of the artist in the same group comes to you and told you that he has been drawing with the group for 35 years, but you look at his work. You see immediately what is wrong. The hand is too large, and the shoulder is not right. Even a 3-year old can see that. Then you take workshops from top notch artists, but very soon after, you will draw or paint the same way as before.... What I want to say here is: there is big problem of art practice, and there is a big problem of art learning. I also want to say: all of those problems are solvable, and it does not do anything with if we are talented or not.
4 comments:
I've been following your blog and love your paintings.
Thanks for being true and sharing your feelings about your experiences in going to drawing groups sessions. I've noticed that too how little I improved even after a long attendance in an art class as well as others. That's why I decided to go back to college for an art degree.
Now I'm participate in these art groups with a goal to improve and also to receive lessons on specific subject whenever possible.
Thanks for your commentary . . . I know exactly what you're talking about and find myself in the same bind. I think it's a problem of the way we see. We don't see the flaws in our own work quickly enough or we see them as flaws that are so big they're insurmountable. Maybe there's something in our minds that produce blind spots? How to get past those? I haven't yet found a way to put all of head, soul, heart and mind together to work with my hand. But I intend to. Your figures are better than you think. You are trying (I think) to move past a romantic classical figure. Whatever the subject, it's about making a compelling painting. So hard to do that when so focused on a subject. I find your striving to discover your own way to paint inspirational.
Your passion, thoughtfulness and honesty are so refreshing and inspirational.
Thank you!
Everytime I drop by on your site, I always learn something new from your works. You inspire us with just your work of art. It speaks volumes.
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