01/12/2025
Still working on the Lantern Parade. 🎄
Now adding layers of colour and tone - then play with light and shadows a lot more.
Haven't painted people for a very long time, forgot how fun it can be.
I used to teach life drawing, and do a huge amount of life drawing, and observational drawing, it was all part of training to be an illustrator, then an animator ( I have been both) .
As an animator you had to learn how movement works, to understand physical construction and weight distribution in movement. Consequently I constantly analyse everything that moves, and how its moved, I can't not do it. I also store up information in my mind ( and sketch book) about the world around me and how its all constructed, and how it relates to everything else - it all sneaks into my head till I need it.
This looking, and remembering may seem like an amazing gift - but actually, though some of it is a natural ability, it was, what was taught in art college at one time - pre computers, pre AI.
I worry that it's no longer taught, students often don't even have drawing or life drawing classes anymore, and art in schools is so dumbed down and boring or simply non existent, sadly.
People look at the artists of the past and often ask, in wonder, 'How did they do that?', you here so often, people saying, that no one could do 'that' now - WRONG!!
Artist can, and do - it's just not particularly valued, and takes a lifetime to learn - unfortunately a lot of people view art, as just a nice little hobby that anyone can do ....its a 'side' hustle - or its perceived that 'proper art' is elitist and so out of reach that its devalued, unless you have the millions to buy a piece of art and lock it in a vault till it gains more value, then just sell it on!
It would be wonderful if art was valued again, if people invested time and effort into it, and if governments and the education system valued it, and if the public valued it - let's reclaim it, get drawing, get learning, get doing, get off A.I and create something real!
Not sure quite where that mini rant came from...I was going to delete it, but then decided not to......sometimes things need saying!!
much love :)
