Seeking The Light using Drawing and Photography

  While the visual arts might seem complex, I aim to simplify them. This blog applies to drawing as well as to photography. It's not complicated when you realize each of the 8 principles of art belong to the basic 7 elements. The key is understanding that these eight principles, with the same names, apply to each of the seven elements, from line (the first element) to color (the seventh). Don't worry, you'll have an 'aha' moment when it all clicks. You might even think, 'It can't be that simple,' when you have that 'aha' moment. It did me. Let me explain in terms I understand. I reassure you I'm not senile just because I look ancient. These concepts are explained by Tony Couch, a renowned PBS watercolorist and author, in his videos and books. With his permission, I'm attempting to present a concise overview of these concepts for those practicing visual arts. Visual art, in all its forms, speaks a unique language. Understanding this lang...

  “You’re cheating!” Those words are spoken by many unestablished artists around the world. Over and over again you will hear those words uttered by hypocrites who actually practice a form of copying from photographs to produce their art. By the way the term illustration is a subset of art or to more clearly state a form of art. Why is that important to this topic of using photographs or including the practice of copying photographs as part of the art process? Instead of telling you what I believe, here’s a blog serving you an example from the greatest American Artist in the last century. If you research any late 20th century magazine you will see the Norman Rockwell influence as well as his numerous works. Here’s a short blog highlighting his use of photographs. Why is he renowned for his charming and nostalgic paintings that captured the essence of American life in the 20th century? I believe photography gave him the time to meditate on the meaning of the moments he captured on f...