"The Painter in Oil" written by D.B. Parkhurst
 

HOW TO STUDY

"There is a right and a wrong way to study, and it all centres around the fact that what you aim to learn is perception and expression. What you are to express you do not learn; you grow to that. But you must learn how to use all possible means; all the facts of visible nature, and all the characteristics of pigments. All qualities, color and form and texture, are but the means of your expression, and you must know how they may be used. Your perception and appreciation must be trained, and your mind stored with facts and relativities. Then you are ready to recognize and convey the true inwardness you find in conditions commonplace to others.

You are to see where other see not; for it is marvelous how little the average eye sees of the really interesting things, how little of the visual facts, and how rarely it sees the picture before it is painted. All is material to the painter. It is not that "everything that is, is beautiful," but that everything that is has qualities and possibilities of beauty; and these, when expressed, make the picture, in spite of the superficial or obvious ugliness."

This drawing is by the artist spoken of this book

Great art
 

Yes I understand what your saying, but yet I can't agree completely. You see many people have different ideas about what they recognize and consider a masterful work. What is recognized and appreciated as great art by some may not be true for others, this is how it should be, freedom of thought and opinion. The mystery I'm speaking of isn't entirely based upon the simple signs of a masterful work as you have stated. I don't think masterful work's of art were simply or easily achieved. The mystery I am speaking of is the force that drives an artist to continue developing his art, the artists evolution of progress. The compulsion that stimulates one to create and grow until mastery is achieved. You might say the spirit behind great works of art, The word spirit itself implies a sense of mystery. What is mysterious is why certain works of art stand out individually as great or masterful. It cant be just technique alone. This is where a work of art touches the human soul in a profound way like spirit, and invisible elusive force. A combination of both technique and human emotion.

And for the viewer, the individual who has an appreciation of certain works of art that they consider outstanding. For them this awareness, conviction and recognition of certain works of art and the artists who create them is extremely diverse in taste and opinion. Just as the multitudes of people themselves with no two personalities alike. Basically what is great for some may not be for others.

Well Henry,
 

I too understand what you are saying and I appreciate your words of wisdom.

I am the type that likes practical things, things that I can put into practice. When ever I hear the words "mystery", "spirituality" even when the words are well meant,
alarm bells go off. This being that in my life, I have personally witnessed many hide behind such statements. I am not saying that you are and you do make a good point but many use these as an excuse not to do their homework.

I also believe that when considering what one likes and another dislikes is also based on the individuals experience in their upbringing. For an example, when we consider the work of Wyeth there is not much that one can say one does not like but still you have those that will bring a charge and say "he did nudes of his neighbors wife behind his wifes back" and the lynching party, democracy in action, is right there to join the fun.

Thank you for taking the time. I appreciate your thoughts.

Do not stop! Strive for excellence.

There is so much wisdom in the words that follow. I must share these with you all.

"It is easier to draw the figure than it is to paint it. And you can only paint the figure as well as you can draw it. If, through the medium of drawing, you do not understand the surface of the human body, nor comprehend its subtle formal structure, there is very little likelihood that you will master it in paint. All the great painters have been great draftsmen. This is because drawing is the essence of painting."

The artists complete guide to Figure Drawing by Tony, is a also a must have book. www.tonyryder.com/a-book.htm