What, How and Why to draw. Part 3

I in no way want to disparage those who draw OBJECTS. It’s just that their “Why” is connected with OBJECTS. When you need to depict a car, a coffee maker or a kettle, of course, you need to focus on the accuracy of the form, correctly distribute all the light and shade to convey the volume. You need to be precise and convincing in conveying the texture and texture of the material so that it is clear that the teapot is made of porcelain and not paper, etc. The same applies to architects. And if you saw what plumbers or electricians draw on their drawings, you would be taken aback! There are so many lines and details that Piet Mondrian would have hiccupped!

No, we assume that the aspiring artist has decided that he is a painter, graphic artist or sculptor. Not a graphic designer, not an interior decorator, not a photographer, not a journalist, not a jeweler, etc. We stand on this, based on the fact that a beginning artist wants to follow the path of, for example, a painter. The “Why” and “Why” depend on this.

And I won’t be clever, arguing that you need to “Recognize the Mission you bring to the world,” etc. This is the lot of coaches and psychologists from the art dealership, of which I am not one. And the answers to these questions, which are of decisive importance for activity, important, most important, can be the simplest. One could even say that they SHOULD be simple. The simplicity of these answers determines their power and versatility in practical application. And I cannot give this answer as advice. The aspiring artist needs to create these answers himself. I can only give examples of such answers.

“So that there is more beauty in the world, and not ugliness.”

“I want to distract people from aggressiveness and anger, so that they don’t look for enemies in everyone they meet.”

“If the viewer smiles or becomes a little sad while looking at my work, that’s quite enough for me.”

“Until I see my painting in the collection of the state museum, I will not rest.”

“My paintings must go abroad.”

There are many formulations, as long as they move you and motivate you to long-term activity. And, for that matter, simply someone’s order is also a completely working motivation. She is no worse than her own efforts. Moreover, I can say that an order is nothing more than recognition of you as an artist. Social order also works. If you see that people simply yearn to have or look at the landscapes of the area where they live, take a canvas and go! Just don’t deviate from your “Why” and “Why” answers.

Of course, you may find this part of the article unnecessary, abstruse or lacking in substance. And you're right. You may not be able to answer these questions and still be successful in painting or graphics. You can simply pretend that you have the answers to these questions and smile mysteriously and remain silent if someone asks you them. This is fine. It’s just that, whatever your field of activity, the consciousness of your own goals gives you the energy to do it for a long time, which creates a true professional. And I would like you, a beginner, to become such a seasoned professional.

You may ask, what distinguishes a beginner from a professional? My answer is this.

An aspiring artist is always striving for a masterpiece, whether he realizes it or not.

Until you have created a real masterpiece, you will think that you are still learning. When you create it and recognize that it is a masterpiece, whether others recognize it or not, you can feel like a professional. In my opinion, this is the difference between a beginner and a professional.

But what should a professional do? What is his path, what is his goal? This is also a masterpiece. The next masterpiece.

  And the path of a professional is the path from masterpiece to masterpiece.

And, believe me, it is no easier than creating your first masterpiece. And maybe even more difficult.

  But this, as the writers say, is a completely different story.