(Insert stupid Blog name here)

It is always interesting to read that there are rules in art, just as in programming. Perhaps if I had been taught this way I would actually be able to draw something However, when I was at school the favoured method of art teaching was osmosis (expose the kids to lots of art and they should magically absorb the skills) and as a result I never got anywhere!

 

Chris

I got taught both ways. The "watch and learn" thing never worked for me, either. I always needed to know the "hows" and "whys". I always wanted to know rules I could apply that would make my art look better. There are plenty of rules in art... the key is knowing when to apply them, and when to ignore them.

 

The other key is knowing when to cut your losses, and find another art class.

 

I was in a drawing class in college one day, and the instructor (a hippie in his mid-50's), had us sit on the floor, cross-legged, with our drawing pads in front of us.

 

He then took a piece of conte crayon, and told us, "Now, pretend this is a little bug. And it's walking across the beach... and oh! Here comes a wave! Now it's washing him back down the beach. Now he starts walking up the beach again... and here comes another wave!" all the while, flopping the crayon around on the page like it was a little bug, walking along the beach.

 

I sat there, dumbfounded for a minute or two, got up, walked out of the class, and ended up dropping out of the college.

I sat there, dumbfounded for a minute or two, got up, walked out of the class, and ended up dropping out of the college.

 

I have never taken any art classes beyond high school. Each lesson would consist of a few minutes of vague instructions from the teacher and we would be assigned some kind of project. He would then disappear into a side room for the remainder of the lesson, while a distinct aroma of marijuana would waft from his hiding place! I don't recall learning anything from those lessons, and I soon lost interest. However, I have been keen on photography for the past few years, and I have been meaning to take some art classes to see if I can apply some of the same skills.

 

Chris