Observation: A Basic Skill to Creating
07/11/15
I use to wonder why the drawing instructors made us draw the same shit over and over again and it finally clicked one day.
I think good art instructors don't want to explain every thing to students because ultimately many instructors don't want to alter people's expression and thought process about how to perceive reality. But also keep in mind that studio art is also based on many traditional Western art principles and school of learning. Not all artists create works based on formal concepts of creating.
Observation is an important muscle many visual artist will flex and stretch over and over again. It's unfortunate that art history courses in many institutions have their limitations in how much someone can experience and learn about process and creativity. Most visual artist are masters at observation, meaning they have a good grasp on perceiving reality and the world.
When drawing, I see the things which constructs who I am, and as an artist, I control how I want to make the mark or how I want someone to experience them. With that said, many works of art today simply explore one or multiple aspect of making, reality, and the world. Observation is a basic skill that will open many doors to seeing the world through a different lens and it's taught me that everyone has something different to show, say, and present to the world.