What I Learned in Art School
Most of what I learned about creating art did not come from my university studies, but has been developed in recent years with a consistent painting practise and my own research and exploring.
What I did gain from studying art in university was how to continually be pushed out of my comfort zone.
Some mediums were more appealing to me, and some I did not enjoy—and that is okay.
Courses were broken down into theoretical aspects of art, such as classes on Colour, Perspective Drawing, etc., and courses with focused studies of fine art mediums, such as watercolour painting, oil painting, drawing, etc.
How to accept critiques of my work.
In the fine arts classes it was common practise to do a body of work and then display it in the class. Guided by our professors, we would work our way around the room, stopping at each artist’s work and give our feedback. Sometimes it was uncomfortable, but today I am grateful for that experience as it has prepared me for the critiques we will continually face as we share our art. Some people will love my work and resonate with it, but others will not like it, and sometimes they want to express that to you.
Art is subjective.
Each of my professors had their preferred medium and style, and that came through in how we were guided and graded. We each have a unique perspective on how we see the world around us, and we also have unique ways of expressing ourselves creatively.
If you want to enter competitions, work with galleries, display your art in public settings, you may not always get the same response and may experience rejection. That rejection is influenced by the viewer’s bias, no matter the training or experience.
Keep exploring.
The only way to find your style is through process, so keep creating and trying new things.
Keep going until you find what excites you and then settle and explore that area further.
Try new mediums, scales of work, colours, subject matter.
The possibles of artistic expression are endless, so enjoy the journey in the pursuit of joy and accomplishment.
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