Sometimes I get asked to explain a particular work of art. Although being able to say something coherent is valuable, such as what may have inspired the piece or the project, and in general what drives and inspires me to create, I don't find providing a detailed explanation of a particular piece useful.
Let me explain why. My form of expression is visual. I like the viewer to engage without having to rely on an accompanying interpretation. My hope is that the piece will “speak to them” emotionally through my choice of subject, combined with form (shapes), colour, texture and value (contrast). That the story it tells is both personal and universal. In some ways I hope that the piece will invoke a child like joy or curiosity in the viewer and interest them enough to contemplate the image for more than 3 seconds. If I’m successful, the viewer will want to come back to the image and look at it again, perhaps finding a new story or emotional experience. As far explaining the painting process (technique), other than being of benefit to other visual artists, I don't think this would be of interest to non-painters. That being said, I can explain the “painting process” in a way that parallels the writing process. There’s an idea, followed by some design decision of how to express the idea, there are revisions, and then a final edit (in an artists case leaving it on the mantle and looking at it for a long time) to see what final changes need to be made. There are similar struggles (the white page vs the white canvas) and similar a requirement to grow and take risks. In the painting world, if every piece is “successful” then you’re not taking enough risks to push yourself to grow. In essence you’ve become too comfortable with your subject and technique. Just as in writing, there is craft in painting. Craft being the mastery of the tools (brushes, pencils, colour mixing and colour theory, design theory, mediums, surfaces etc.), used to express yourself. The better your mastery of tools, the easier it is to create and get closer to your final vision. Mastery also provides you with the ability to “break the rules” and try something new. To master the tools, there’s a lot of repetitive training needed (doing lots of paintings and failing, taking workshops and courses), including training the eye how to see shapes, colour and light and training the hand to create what the eye sees. Thought for the day "For a true writer, each book should be a new beginning where he tries again for something that is beyond attainment. He should always try for something that has never been done or that others have tried and failed. Then sometimes, with great luck, he will succeed." Ernest Hemingway
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Eric David
Eric David is a visual artist / fine art photographer that lives and works in Toronto. Archives
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