08-14-2014, 08:43 PM
Surely there are some good books out there for that area as well? Like this, or one of these (although I didn't read any reviews on which are best), which could at least give you a bit of a stating point from where you then can build your own schedule or battle plan, after figuring out which areas are most important. (And then you can still come back to books Like Scott's, since perspective is probably one of the important things anyway).
It is not selfish or lazy to feel the need for some direction though, learning art (no matter which direction) is a huge undertaking and it can be quite daunting, with all that work that wants to be done, maybe mixed with progress that is not always obvious, and in most cases also lots of self-criticism and insecurities. I still catch myself on a regular basis looking for the "magic pill" in a book, video or process/technique even though I know those things shouldn't matter much. Anyway, it's quite normal to want something to hold onto, because this need for security is what kept us alive as a species those last couple of millenia. It only becomes a problem if you shift your focus too much towards looking for instruction instead of doing things.
I think some kind of battle plan or mid-term schedule, or really just a checklist of skills you want to work on (say.. perspective, drawing, animal anatomy.. look up what specialized courses or programs teach their students) might help with the problem of getting sidetracked. The clearer your goals, the less easy you get lost on the way. (But re-evaluate and update those goals regularly.) On a side note, weren't you in some kind of art college? Isn't there anybody who could give you instruction?
That said, that painting is wonderful!!! So many things I like about it, the diagonal structures you got in there by perspective and the tree, and of course the lovely colors. I'm amazed how you did those ... layers of leaves, it gives the tree so much depth. Thank you for sharing the process. How long do you let it dry between the steps? And cats! <3 What made you decide to start over instead of going on with the previous composition?
It is not selfish or lazy to feel the need for some direction though, learning art (no matter which direction) is a huge undertaking and it can be quite daunting, with all that work that wants to be done, maybe mixed with progress that is not always obvious, and in most cases also lots of self-criticism and insecurities. I still catch myself on a regular basis looking for the "magic pill" in a book, video or process/technique even though I know those things shouldn't matter much. Anyway, it's quite normal to want something to hold onto, because this need for security is what kept us alive as a species those last couple of millenia. It only becomes a problem if you shift your focus too much towards looking for instruction instead of doing things.
I think some kind of battle plan or mid-term schedule, or really just a checklist of skills you want to work on (say.. perspective, drawing, animal anatomy.. look up what specialized courses or programs teach their students) might help with the problem of getting sidetracked. The clearer your goals, the less easy you get lost on the way. (But re-evaluate and update those goals regularly.) On a side note, weren't you in some kind of art college? Isn't there anybody who could give you instruction?
That said, that painting is wonderful!!! So many things I like about it, the diagonal structures you got in there by perspective and the tree, and of course the lovely colors. I'm amazed how you did those ... layers of leaves, it gives the tree so much depth. Thank you for sharing the process. How long do you let it dry between the steps? And cats! <3 What made you decide to start over instead of going on with the previous composition?