My friend Michael Meloni started a personal blog recently. I actually read one of his blog entries and found myself thinking, “Oh it would be so cool to have a blog…” And then – of course – it dawned on me that I did have a (much neglected) blog. So yes, here I am.
I don’t want to gush too much but I’ve been going to art lessons for a few months now and I have to say it is one of the best things I’ve ever done. I want to try to unpack some of the benefits I’ve experienced from having a great art teacher.
The Obvious – Technique
A good art teacher will provide you with specific technique relating to your medium. Perhaps it’s about improving what you do already, perhaps it’s about introducing a whole new skill set. You may be surprised at what you can do even with a medium you’ve practiced with for some time. Sometimes it’s just about getting a new perspective.
Philosophies
It’s not just technique that your teacher passes onto you as a student, it is also their philosophies. One of teacher’s favourite sayings is, “The only difference between a good painting and a bad painting is more work.”
The Stuff That’s Not Written In The Books
And then there are those tips and tricks that are garnered through a life time of creating and shared with you the student. Whether it’s cost effective ways of reusing old objects (a stay wet palette made out of a sponge, an icecream lid and some cling wrap?) or when to use industrial hardware over “artist supplies.”
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I love “the only difference between a good painting and a bad painting is more work” that could apply to novelists as well.
It is always extremely gratifying to those of us who teach art that students we have ‘get’ it, get what we are giving them. To see the light come on is the reason I teach! You know….
‘Oh! That’s how you do it!’ Keep going John, there are more treasures ahead which I’m sure you understand!