Who is your favorite artist, or what are your favorite works of art? Something that sticks in your mind and soul, with a fire of inspiration after engaging with them.
We all have at least one-most likely many- that fit that criteria, that feeling. What also happens more often than not, unfortunately, is that feeling of inspiration is swiftly trailed by feelings of inadequacy. After which comes nervousness and doubt about our own abilities in comparison to this fulfilling experience we just had. Here’s the kicker: overall, comparison is good. Just like standing at the base of a mountain, it gives us a mostly accurate view of where we stand, compared to where we want to be. However, as we are discovering with all other aspects of human life, it is our mind state that can guide us properly, or improperly down the exact same path.
Picture this. You’ve never hiked before. You’re standing at the bottom of a gorgeous mountain, its height kissing the clouds, with its base as broad as the horizon. Spread cross its cliffs are vast, beautiful plants as far as the eye can see, with unexplainable views all the way to the peak. Hundreds of possible paths exist to reach its precipice, some steeper, some winding, some straight, some undiscovered.
You see someone go straight up the mountain, their ability to control the tempo and stride of their legs seems effortless, as if they’re just gliding up the trail. You try to imitate these effortless steps, focusing like a laser on your strides. However, watching only your feet, you have no view of the path which lies ahead, leaving you stumbling and stubbing your feet all the way up. You think “if only I could move my feet like them, I’d reach the top more easily,” so you attempt it, despite the fact that you lack their level of practice.
Obviously this isn’t working for you. So brush yourself off and chalk that shortcoming up to “lack of talent.” You then turn and see another seasoned hiker nearby, this time using sleek hiking gear and poles. As they trudge by, you think “if only my tools were better, I’d reach the top more easily.”
Now, at face value these statements are correct. But, at the same time, they are not. Why is this?
Tools I will only touch on briefly, as by now in the 21st century, most understand that tools are simply that, and only as good as the hand that wields them. Truly accepting and understanding this simple wisdom will save us much heartbreak and disappointment around our work. The subjects of talent and skill, however, are unfortunately much harder to sift through.
Let’s switch gears for a moment. Teaching books and learning materials are fantastic. They provide a level of help and access to wisdom in art that would be unheard of before our time. Yet, too many art books we see focus so heavily on the technical, that we forget why we’re practicing in the first place. Don’t get me wrong, technicality is necessary for good and great art, however, it is worthless if we never look up from all the endless trap of numbers and measurements. The overall goal of art is self-expression, not technicality (note: I am referring to personal art and passion projects. Architecture and commissioned work is a slightly different story, but to address and value those needs before those of passion is a mistake). The best examples of this in the field are cartoonists/animators. While they do possess technical skills (and many at a high level), they pick and choose which of these they follow closely, and which they forgo, for the sake of expression; and altogether their work still retains a level of believability (something we will revisit in a future idea post).
Let’s use Richard Williams, the creator of the hit cartoon Roger Rabbit, as an example.
The first example on the left is a sketch of a man by Williams, and a very realistic-looking on at that. Williams is perfectly capable of this level of detail, along with the middle example of him next to his Roger Rabbot character, as well as the third example of him blending the two styles smoothly! The vast majority (if not everyone) of cartoonists/animators draw from this well of heightened art technique. So, while the art journey is not only about technique, we cannot reject it. (Examples taken from “The Animator’s Survival Kit)
At the end of the day, your art should feel like the path of your choosing; a way for you to properly communicate your vision (as discussed in our previous “Universal Language” discussion). There is no joy or fulfillment in technicality itself. Which is why it’s so easy to beat yourself up over. We must improve, but not at the cost of our passion.
The goal is the mountaintop, the experience of beauty as far as the eye can see, the fresh air, the birds flying overhead, the vibrant colors scattered across our view. And while the technique will get you to this analogous mountaintop, this fulfilling experience is all that will keep you on the path long enough to keep use it. A few true friends to share the journey can never hurt either. Let us climb together, sharing in the struggles and the triumphs. There are a hundred paths to the top, and we have our pick of any; so keep your head up while you focus on those steps, and you just might find that the path is more in your head than under your feet. Yes, technique and improvement are a must, but to let them consume you would be the antithesis of improvement.
What does this mean in action? Take your time, take a breath, take a break, do this frequently, and stay in tune with your vision at all times.
Remember, art is not just a single image, a single song, a single film, a single genre, or made only with specific tools. Art is an experience, and that is what we’re going for.
THE ANSWER IS NOT WITHIN YOU, THE ANSWER IS YOU