“For Better Drawing And Painting… Take Time To See The Best In Art”

By Michael Dale

Recently 2 art critics were talking about how people see beauty. Apparently a man and a woman see beauty in different ways. This is no great surprise…

Man being a hunter gatherer can focus upon spatial awareness… they have tunnel vision and focus.
Alternately, it is suggested that women look at the world-view and are more capable of multi-tasking.

Fortunately, there was agreement between the male and female art experts… People do not look at a work of art for long enough. A quick glance can never be long enough to see the true quality of an art masterpiece. It takes time to see…

The detail in a great painting
The quality of brushstroke of a skilled artist working with oils on canvas
The way the paper texture influences a watercolor wash
The number of different colors used

There is far more to a work of art. The idea is that you should look at a picture for a long time. By taking time to concentrate on just one painting allows you to see clearly. Apart from appreciating the overall artistic effect you can analyze how it was created.

For both art beginners and professional artists alike, appreciating good art is a great way of learning how to improve your drawing and painting skills. Each line drawn in pencil contributes to the finished drawing and every single brush mark adds to a completed painting.

So, go and look at a single painting. Treat it like a favorite landscape location you would like to sit at and enjoy watching the changes of a day. Take a sketch book and pencil and take time to see how each of the best areas have been painted…

Draw sketches and make notes about what you see
How you think the artist managed to create the effects you like best
Think how you could use similar painting techniques in your own work
Consider different drawing techniques that could give similar results

In time, if you spend time looking at quality artwork, you will be able to imagine what the painting would look like if it had been painted using different art materials. Whether you are male or female, interested in detail or the world-view, it takes time to produce good art. Focus your attention on making your drawing and painting worth taking time to look at…

There can be no ‘world-view’ without an artist’s focus on the detail.

Michael Dale is the author of 1- Color Is Best (the quick and easy way to learn to paint watercolor) and 3- Colors Are All You Need (mix any color you want fast using only 3 colors). Contact http://www.Paint-And-Draw.com to find out more.

If you haven't done so already, why not take a look at the video that features some of Michael Dale's latest watercolor paintings at... Amazing Colors

Terms of republishing...

Each article listed on this page is an original work ©2009 Michael Dale. You are welcome to link to, or reprint these entire articles with no changes. You must agree to respect copyright by not changing titles or content. In particular, you must include the FULL Resource box and all links.