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Carlos Ygoa · 10-18-2004, 04:59 PM

Oh my, what did I start?...

Patricia, thanks for reacting. I have seen your posts and attachments (like the Vermeer study, the Rubens study, etc) and can see you are sincere in your efforts. The Rubens study I really liked, and the Vermeer copy seemed to me to be quite good (that was, if I am not mistaken, your first attempt in colour?)

I taught drawing and painting from my private studio for about fifteen years, and I think it is safe to say that if my pupils still remember me, they would remember me for my obsession with basic drawing. Can't run if you don't know how to walk. I think everyone in the forum would agree with this. There is nothing more fundamental than drawing and nothing more wrong than starting the building with the roof. I would also emphasize the importance of tonal values and make my students spend some time, once in oils, with grisaille or monochrome exercises. I'm not saying anything really new here, but yet, it would never cease to amaze me when I used to have students come to me who were in their third year in Fine Atrs who had great difficulty with some very basic drawing...my point being that I think this "express thyself" trend is something like a universal plague. Non-representational art has its place, doubtless, but the foundation still has to be there, otherwise the work invariably looks hollow and with little substance.

But maybe Allan is right and we should take this to the Cafe.

The sala right next to where I am doing my copy in the Prado has portraits by Antonio Moro (16th century) and he is a new discovery for me. Amazing work.

10-18-2004, 04:59 PM	#3
Carlos Ygoa Juried Member Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 483	Importance of solid drawing fundamentals Oh my, what did I start?... Patricia, thanks for reacting. I have seen your posts and attachments (like the Vermeer study, the Rubens study, etc) and can see you are sincere in your efforts. The Rubens study I really liked, and the Vermeer copy seemed to me to be quite good (that was, if I am not mistaken, your first attempt in colour?) I taught drawing and painting from my private studio for about fifteen years, and I think it is safe to say that if my pupils still remember me, they would remember me for my obsession with basic drawing. Can't run if you don't know how to walk. I think everyone in the forum would agree with this. There is nothing more fundamental than drawing and nothing more wrong than starting the building with the roof. I would also emphasize the importance of tonal values and make my students spend some time, once in oils, with grisaille or monochrome exercises. I'm not saying anything really new here, but yet, it would never cease to amaze me when I used to have students come to me who were in their third year in Fine Atrs who had great difficulty with some very basic drawing...my point being that I think this "express thyself" trend is something like a universal plague. Non-representational art has its place, doubtless, but the foundation still has to be there, otherwise the work invariably looks hollow and with little substance. But maybe Allan is right and we should take this to the Cafe. The sala right next to where I am doing my copy in the Prado has portraits by Antonio Moro (16th century) and he is a new discovery for me. Amazing work.