SB,
Something that is indeed inspiring is to try to view things from a new angle. That could be to try to understand another persons point of view and the history behind it.

You present so many interesting opinions and angles on the field of painting for which I would like to thank you.

I realize that there are things that I don`t understand. This may partly have to do with my limited understanding of the English language, but I practice learning by doing, so... and rely on the spel check.

About the knife:

A knife is a tool, as is the brain. Sharpening means making it fit for use.
Also the act of sharpening is a meditation period that will help to concentrate and focus on the act of using the knife / brain.

To be ready or punctual care.

Allan

Thanks, Allan:
Very good start point.
By searching of "sword", I found a poem...not a formal reply to this post.:
http://martincartoons.com/poem3.htm

SB,

"One picture mightier than ten thousand words; "
This line from the poem is true, though I have to say that I enjoy reading about painting.
When I am thatching and taking a brake I like to read about J. Sargent. I printed the notes about him and I dare say that words can paint, not to mention all the words in this forum.

Allan

[QUOTE=Allan Rahbek]
I enjoy reading about painting.

Yes, I also gained from Sargent notes. Mao said: "In his endeavour to win a war, a military strategist cannot overstep the limitations, however, he can and must strive for victory. The stage of action for a military strategist is built upon objective material conditions, but on that stage he can direct the performance of many a drama, full of sound and colour, power and grandeur."

How to use knife, or palette knife, or your painting skill, as your competitor does? This reminds me a painting about Mao. http://www.1930shanghai.com/items/26...tore.html#item

When we look at a cross section of a knife: if artist's ability is the apex of the triangle, i.e. an edge of a knife could be weared down. What are the two sides of that triangle, in figurative sense ( to sharpen on)?

What you need to sharpen the knife? You need iron, anvil and hammer or stone and water. I have probably misunderstood you here.

To learn from another artist implies your willingness to get close and think like him. Not to be like him, but gain some power and get on on your own. Sort of like when the spaceship uses the gravitation of the Moon to get to Mars.

Did you notice that Mao

[QUOTE=SB Wang,
cannot overstep the limitations.

In art we must also subordinate the limits of our choice.
When we have chosen a medium, say oils, everything must be said with oil paint. You express yourself in an oil world. I look at it through the oil glasses and understand it with my oil mind.
Or like H. C. Andersen says in The ugly Duckling "The world, says mother duck, is all the way out to the stone fence by the church yard."

The simpler mean that are used the stronger expression.

I feel often annoyed when I note the influence of reference photos used. That

Allan:
Van Long, an American writer, praised Denmark. I can see why now.

I rewrote my question: "When we look at a cross section of a knife: if artist's ability is the apex of the triangle, i.e. an edge of a knife could be worn down. What are the two sides of that triangle, in figurative sense ( to sharpen on)"?

The knife fill the gab between the mirror of the world and your minds eye.

If you come out with anything sharp from that confrontation, it may be art.

Of course it can be turned down and used for cutting, that be negative and contrary to art.

Allan

I may have been a little short in answering the above challenge.

Mirror of the world, means how the world present it self to us and how we perceive it. That is the one side of the triangle.
The other side is what we choose to pas on to our fellow human beings. That is the things that expresses our mind, seen with our minds eye.

If it comes out as art depends on how fine my instrument is tuned.

Allan