Tanya, second draft...Tim

[paperdragon]

[paperdragon]

[jainitai]

The detail on this is insane. It's interesting to compare this draft with the first. Gone are the perspective lines and grid, now leaving in their place super-insane detail. The perspective "rules" are now hidden, giving only a sense that this picture is real and believable and contained within a three-dimensional space. It is perspective that makes a drawing realistic. Even if someone draws really cartoon-like (think J. Scott Campbell), if they use the rules of perspective, it will look amazing. Perspective is the difference between amatuer and professional, between apprentice and master. Tim is definitely becoming a master.

[gots0]

Just like Jai said, its like looking at a photo, not a drawing.

[Tim]

perspective is the basic fundamental rule of art out side the straight line and the circle. It is a must to know. the difference between a good artist and a lesser talented one is the ability to do something with the rule of thumb.something creative with the idea.
This picture is basic in form

[Red Dog]

A very beautiful piece, Tim.

[jainitai]

tim said:

perspective is the basic fundamental rule of art out side the straight line and the circle. It is a must to know. the difference between a good artist and a lesser talented one is the ability to do something with the rule of thumb.something creative with the idea.
This picture is basic in form

Well the form may be basic (as I can see what you're saying in the underlying forms of things, like the square table, the box-shaped cabinet, etc.; all basic forms or shapes), but it's in the detail where you have taken this to the next level. The detail alone in that candleabra (sp?), the candle holder on top of the cabinet, is amazing. That didn't just some out of your head, did it? Did you use any reference for this drawing?

And I see what you're saying about a more talented artist being able to take the basic rules of drawing (perspective, anatmoy, etc.) and to do something new and creative. But definitely without having mastered these fundamentals, an artist will be incapable of producing anything other than crap...which is kind of where I'm at! ;D

Anyway, you can really see how your skills have progressed over the years. When you compare Grips to this drawing you can see the evolution and mastery of these fundamental rules and skills. It makes me wonder where I would be at if I had kept drawing for the past 10 years.

[Tim]

One thing that reading up and applying perspective, is the focus to dmension. to be able to visualize the space and feel the seperation in the picture through the principles of perspective It is a mind excercise of form. While drawing each detail , you keep in mind where in the field of dimension is it. As to other details in te picture ,I will loolk at stuff to get general ideas then make u things with the references in mind.

[jainitai]

Tim, that's pretty amazing that you just look at reference material and work from the memory of it. I think I would need to actually look at the reference while drawing it to make it look accurate. But I rarely use any reference material anyway (which could explain why my art sucks!).

I like what you said about perspective and the emphasis on dimension or being a "mind exercise of form". Creating art really is about visualization. I noticed you emphasized this in your "how to draw" book as well; how to conjure up a strong mental image in your mind and to be able to rotate the scene 360 degrees and to see it from all angles. A good artist will almost inevitably have this intense power of visualization; to see things in the mind in such a concrete form that it appears to be real. Not every artist can do this and that is of course why there's so much shitty artwork out there.

It's like you said once before at a convention when we were talking, that art is and drawing are like a form of escape. You can really get lost in a different "world" in your mind. It's like your consciousness is on a different plane as you tap into those creative energies. Creating and creation of art is really a subtle, almost spiritual thing. It's like Dali said in his book on the secrets of painting, that the last secret is that one must let their hand be guided by an angel.

Thanks for the conversation. You're really a lot deeper than most people may think or that you may let on.

[Tim]

Well looking at reference is no big thng. When i look at gothic creation , someone did it. I have to be able to create also. so the things you see are from me. not just something i have seen.Creation in all ,that is. As an artist I am only creation . but as human I am not so creative and need other things to start the flame of creation. hoping to think that what I do is something somewhat fresh or new . thanks for the conversation, your thinking the right way , now apply it.

[jainitai]

Well it's like I've believed all along: that (as the old saying goes) no man is an island. We cannot escape influence from the outside world. In other words, we cannot create that which we have no experience of. I forget the philosopher who made that point, but it's true. We create things based on what we've seen, what we've heard, what we've experienced. This is "starting the flame of creation", as you say. We cannot escape our influences, artistically and otherwise. There is constant influence upon us from our environment, other people, the media, etc. We read an art book or see a painting and we become inspired to create.

So is it even possible to be truly original or "fresh and new", as you say? I have my doubts. We, as artists, are simply taking what has been done and re-interpreting it. I guess in that way it becomes original, because it comes from the individual. What I create, no one else will ever create in the same exact way. I may like to draw like you, but I never will. But the influence will (or may) show through.

Anyway, yeah, the application of this knowledge is the tricky part. What I need is more practice of these principles. I know perspective, but I don't practice it and apply it. Mastery of anything can only come through intense and repeated practice.

[gots0]

Great reading. Thanks Tim and Jai.