is it possible to do a web-based art study?
Jonathan "Josh" Cain
Hi,
I'm an art fan, and I've been dabbling lately with
oils, pastels, colored-pencil...
The most fun for me has been oil, and I'd really
like to spend some time learning on the web about
some techniques and looking at some great examples.
My favorite sort of stuff is simple and abstract,
and I'd like some recommendations of artists that
excel at that sort of thing, whose work I might look
for on the web. I'd also like pointers (and this
may be a bit unrealistic) to any sites that offer
basic technique advice.
As an electrical engineer senior, I really don't
have time to take a class (like I should) so I'm
trying to make do. (So please don't recommend
art classes, because I can't do it)
Naturally, I'll hit AltaVista and Lycos, but if anyone
can help filter the hits, that's what counts...
Thanks!
-Josh Cain
PS- I don't know if it would help to know any of my
favorite artists, but what the heck. I don't know
many non-main-stream artists, but out of the biggies
my favorite it Picasso. I don't like Dali. I
like van Gogh but prefer simpler color. That ought
to mark me as a rookie! Also, I have a Wylie that
I like, but if I own an original, probably no one
has ever heard of him...
David Harleyson
In article <329A31...@ee.washington.edu>, jc...@ee.washington.edu says...
>Naturally, I'll hit AltaVista and Lycos, but if anyone
>can help filter the hits, that's what counts...
Try a Web browser like YAHOO that has categories.
YAHOO has an ART category that breaks down into
numerous sub-categories. It's a better search
method when you are looking for general information.
Lycos and Altavista are better if you are searching for
something specific and use key words. D.H.
Charles Eicher
In article <329A31...@ee.washington.edu>, "Jonathan \"Josh\" Cain"
<jc...@ee.washington.edu> wrote:
> As an electrical engineer senior, I really don't
> have time to take a class (like I should) so I'm
> trying to make do. (So please don't recommend
> art classes, because I can't do it)
well, that opens up a more general question:
Can you learn painting by looking at a computer screen? Can you learn by
reading a book? Or would it be preferable to look at real paintings? Sure,
each has its place. But definitely look at real paintings. Knowing how to
read a painting can be just as important as knowing how to paint one. You
can learn some things about this from books and reproductions, but nothing
is a substitute for the real thing.
| Charles Eicher |
| -=- |
| cei...@inav.net |
William O. Barrett
Yes. Go to Minneapolis College of Art & Design:
DMG
Hi Josh
I am sorry to tell you that there are no shortcuts, but there are
milestones.
Some important milestones are:
1. You have to 'learn to see'. This expression means that you have to
see in terms of color, line, shapes, textures, etc, not in terms of
things. Your mind, believe it or not, can screw up what you see. An
orange in most settings is not orange in color, but reflects the
incident light.
2. A painting is a painting. A painting of a sunset is not a sunset, it
is a painting of a sunset. The sunset is an excuse for creating forms of
color, texture, line, etc, not to reproduce the sunset.
3. A painting or drawing is nothing more than marks on a ground. When
successful, the marks are fresh, and clear. Did you ever wonder why
children's paintings are so interesting.
The usefulness of art schools is that they use exercises to accomplish
the above milestones. For example, they make you draw a figure in 10
seconds. They might make you draw upside down. And many more. A first
year drawing course, say at night, might be all you need to get you on
the right track.
If you can't go to art school, at least make yourself draw rapidly. Get
lots of newsprint and some charcoal and draw things that are changing
rapidly, say scenes on TV, perhaps sports. Try it without looking at the
paper. Stand up. Draw with your arm, your whole body. Get emotional,
shut off your mind. With a model in art school, these things are easy.
Stay away from how-to-paint books. If there is an artist whose work you
like, talk him or her into letting you mill around his or her studio.
Offer to clean up the place. Most of the masters achieved their skills
in another master's studio, not in art school.
Most of all, have fun, and learn your own forms of expression.
kajoj...@aol.com
I think I'm in love.
Finally, after years of collecting tear sheets from magazines and haunting
bookstores for info, I saw my first real "Twombly" - and then another and
another and another - and it was everything I'd hoped it would be and
more. My thanks to the deMenils of Houston, not only for the Rothko
Chapel, their magnificent museum and collection, but, especially for the
fabulous Cy Twombly Museum. It's a great counterpoint to the Rothko's -
which was an experience in itself. The Twombly's should be saved for last
- so uplifting. Can hardly wait to go back. (Can't believe it's all
free!)
.............Karen Jacobs.................................
http://members.aol.com/kajojacobs/index.htm