study old masters to learn ...

[doris]

...or drawing on the right side of brain ... thats what i do to learn carving, draw, draw, draw... as i seem to look different at things when i draw, or carve ... well, i had fun today with copying from a picture in book the lybian sybill carved by michel erhart, a german renaissance carver...and thought you might enjoy looking it too...

[chuckt]

Nicely done Doris!! I really need to spend some time drawing. I have a huge fear of drawing, or rather fear of failure when my drawing (and carving) results don't match my expectations (which are usually WAY too high in comparing my work to the masters). Its a deadly combination - fear of failure and perfectionism. I am slowly - WAY too slowly - learning to overcome them. I find that I am in love with the IDEA of art and carving, and have a HUGE appreciation for other's work, but when I do find some time to actually sit and carve . . . I often find some excuse to NOT carve. If I don't try I can't fall short of my expectations right? NOT! That's the only REAL failure - not trying.

Well - today I got to spend a very pleasant Father's Day carving in the shade of our side lawn with my daughter Celine (my youngest at 13). We muddled our way through a shelf elf each. She will have the makings of a FINE carver even if I never get there.

Anyway - sorry to make your thread about ME and lose focus. I think your drawing is WONDERFUL and I hope I can get even 1/4 as good - when I get around to trying it. ;-)

Cheers!
ChuckT

[doris]

hey no need to be sorry, chuck. you address an important point, i think many of us struggle with... yes, the expectations one has on oneselfs work are hindering, in carving more than in drawing with me, but to me, urge to try and see, how far i can go, see, if i can reach at least a little in this wanted direction, that makes me start... and, yes, its the only thing neeeded, so, please work hard on overcome fear...you will be amazed what you can do...thanks for looking and bringing up so important topic

[Kenny_S]

Maybe if I studied the old masters I would be a better carver, but then, I carve for the enjoyment of the hobby, make a little money to resupply and buy new tools.
My situation is fifferent from the professinals who have to make it.
Good thread and surprise no more have replied to it.
Nice drawing, I might add.

[doris]

hi kenny, well i am not professional carver either, just carve for fun too...maybe later, if i get good enough that is... to me, drawing helps see things and fix them clearly in memory. but everyone is different, so this is just my way of learning. thanks for dropping in :-)

[Kenny_S]

I am sorry for the miss spelled words. Need to get my hand unwraped. Missing letters and all. Hehehehehehe oh well,
Thanks for the reply Doris.

[mark yundt]

Doris,,you have the right idea.forcing yourself to LOOK,,really SEE by not merely looking AT something but capturing it in your minds eye and transferring it to paper or wood.Who cares if every exercise turns out ready to go in a museum..the purpose is to retrain your eyes to see differently than you are normally used to using them.To me this is the important lesson,,not trying to turn out masterpieces,,forget that.One exercise routine won't turn you into Arnold Schwarzenneger either,,it takes time,,so just at least try it,and keep at it.Didn't ride a bike too well first time you tried,,have to keep at it.

[Joy]

It's all about the joy of learning...whether carving, drawing or seeing...it's food for the soul.

[doris]

hi mark and joy :-) ... yes, joy of learning, this is exactely how it feels to me. i think i will never stop learning, since it is so much fun :-) ... oh yes, i draw a lot of thingies, which i never would dare show any person, BUT i think each of these super-ugly drawings has thaught (sp? teached ?) me something, and therefore it was worth it. i keep drawing, and carving, and otherwise explore, i simply love it, and "need" do it... i wish only day had more hours than just 24...

[mark yundt]

Yes,,the joy of learning,,discovery.The answers are usually in front of us,,we just need to learn to see them.Art takes us out of our normal day to day thought patterns,,we learn to use new "muscles" in solving these art problems,,ones not often used to solve the usual daily challenges.On another post it was said our perceptions are our reality,,what happens when you shift those perceptions,,what happens when you can't?If you can't,,you remain stagnant,,not necessarily in a negative way,,but you maintain a certain equilibrium,or status quo.Even a subtle shift can have dramatic results.The discovery of how to draw perspectives caused a radical change in art and how it was viewed,,literally,,and quite simply by moving just a few lines that were always there,,it was a revolution,but noone saw it up to that point.The "old masters" knew how to control every line,because they knew that the most subtle shift or curve of a line translated a meaning more than anything,they have solved the problems,,they figured it out.How to lead your eye,,get it to think something is there where nothing actually exists but a line,,it suggests a form,,all in the effort to change our perceptions,,which they actually did.That's part of what art does,,it causes you to change your perspective,,your perceptions of how you look at things and what they mean through an illusion,,the artist though creates the illusion,by changing his /her own perceptions and perspectives,,its' an interesting dance in a back and forth exchange...