01-23-2014, 08:10 AM
Yeah, I am neglecting the poll for the time being, because I don't think it's much of a question of muscle memory.
I'd compare it more to learning a language.
As you know, English is not my first language. As I am self taught in it too, I did take my time to learn about the language, to learn about the learning process, to learn what mastery a new idiom really means, and I did find some pretty interesting stuff.
On one of those, I read that you have a solid grasp of the language when you read poetry and you understand multiple meanings and nuances under it. You master it when you can write poems yourself - not being a poet and recognized as such, but you master the nuances enough to build your own metaphors and get it across. It made a lot of sense - and I was really happy when those nuances started to be actually perceived on a daily basis.
So yeah. Since I am more and more into comparing visual arts to languages, I feel that is the case here. The fact that I know anatomy does not make me able to talk about it in a language that is not my first. I have the knowledge, but I can't build the proper message with the building blocks I have to use right now. I can't articulate the proper sentences; I don't have enough vocabulary yet, my grasp on grammar isn't solid enough to make my message clear.
The fact that a surgeon knows anatomy, does not means he can translate it into paper - because that is a language on it's own. You have to know how to translate form, how the perspective works, how to properly overlap masses, what a straight or curve line will read to get your message across.
So it's not muscle memory. It's practicing your language skills. You know what really helped me to learn English? Actually using it. Trying to type very broken messages, forming very bad sentences, in forums and in online games. People helped me at the beginning, helping me understand the basic of what I was missing. But the more I used, the easier it was.
Now I think I can get my message across even if I mess up verb tense and the in/on/at thing haha! I rarely have problems getting my point across or being misunderstood; I can even work nuances on it, and sometimes even irony! haha :p
So, the way I see it - when you're drawing, it's not muscle memory as much as it is learning a language. When you start, you're still translating things in your head BEFORE you speak, but as you get used to it, you start forming sentences straight into the language you want. But you need to practice it to really be able to use it easily. And the more you do, the more complex messages and texts you try to produce, the more you learn. The more it makes sense.
And when we are able to put nuances in there, the magic starts happening.
And I nowadays see a lot of more stylized art as very small and very well written poems - they give you everything you need for the message and nothing more. And it's awesome <3
I'd compare it more to learning a language.
As you know, English is not my first language. As I am self taught in it too, I did take my time to learn about the language, to learn about the learning process, to learn what mastery a new idiom really means, and I did find some pretty interesting stuff.
On one of those, I read that you have a solid grasp of the language when you read poetry and you understand multiple meanings and nuances under it. You master it when you can write poems yourself - not being a poet and recognized as such, but you master the nuances enough to build your own metaphors and get it across. It made a lot of sense - and I was really happy when those nuances started to be actually perceived on a daily basis.
So yeah. Since I am more and more into comparing visual arts to languages, I feel that is the case here. The fact that I know anatomy does not make me able to talk about it in a language that is not my first. I have the knowledge, but I can't build the proper message with the building blocks I have to use right now. I can't articulate the proper sentences; I don't have enough vocabulary yet, my grasp on grammar isn't solid enough to make my message clear.
The fact that a surgeon knows anatomy, does not means he can translate it into paper - because that is a language on it's own. You have to know how to translate form, how the perspective works, how to properly overlap masses, what a straight or curve line will read to get your message across.
So it's not muscle memory. It's practicing your language skills. You know what really helped me to learn English? Actually using it. Trying to type very broken messages, forming very bad sentences, in forums and in online games. People helped me at the beginning, helping me understand the basic of what I was missing. But the more I used, the easier it was.
Now I think I can get my message across even if I mess up verb tense and the in/on/at thing haha! I rarely have problems getting my point across or being misunderstood; I can even work nuances on it, and sometimes even irony! haha :p
So, the way I see it - when you're drawing, it's not muscle memory as much as it is learning a language. When you start, you're still translating things in your head BEFORE you speak, but as you get used to it, you start forming sentences straight into the language you want. But you need to practice it to really be able to use it easily. And the more you do, the more complex messages and texts you try to produce, the more you learn. The more it makes sense.
And when we are able to put nuances in there, the magic starts happening.
And I nowadays see a lot of more stylized art as very small and very well written poems - they give you everything you need for the message and nothing more. And it's awesome <3