The #1 Skill Artists Need
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The #1 Skill Artists Need
What do you think is the number #1 skill that artists need? I’m sure most will have differing opinions, but mine is that Drawing is the #1 skill that ALL artists need. I hear over and over again in my workshops from students (typically middle aged and above) that they have decided to take an abstract painting workshop because they didn’t know how to draw. They aren’t taking the workshop because they have a great desire or passion to learn abstract painting, but it’s because they haven’t taken the time to learn to draw. To me, that makes no sense. Regardless of the type of painting you wish to pursue, drawing should be the first step, not an afterthought.
I have encountered literally thousands of other artists in my 30 years of painting, as well as thousands of paintings by amateur, or student painters. I have seen, and continue to see many mistakes that are drawing based and could have been easily avoided had the painter had a better grasp of drawing a scene prior to painting it.
Drawing is foundational - the basis for all art making. If you don’t know how to draw, it’s more difficult to construct shapes and good painting compositions. It’s difficult to communicate your ideas to others. It’s difficult to do any pre-planning drawings or value studies for your paintings. Earliest man had the ability to draw, and the results of that ability have been left on rocks in caves for us to see. Their grasp of the anatomy of animals that they saw and hunted is astounding. They used drawing as a way to communicate their surroundings to others.
We are living in a time of nearly unlimited opportunities for learning. If you cannot find a place in your community to take a drawing course, there are hundreds of opportunities for taking an online course. I encourage all of you who are, or want to be painters to learn to draw if you have not already done so. A good drawing course will teach you so many things related to painting (scale, proportion, perspective, form, value) that will make painting much easier.
If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)
November 4-6, 2020 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC Click Here for Information and Registration. Only 2 Seats Left!
December 2-4, 2020 Hill Country Arts Foundation Ingram, TX Click Here for Information and Registration
January 13-15, 2021 Murrell's Inlet, SC. Abstracting the Coastal Landscape (NEW). This workshop will be held in the David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio Murrell’s Inlet location. Click Here for Information and Registration
February 3-5, 2021 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC Click Here for Information and Registration
February 19-21, 2021 Art League of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach, FL Email Amelie Bush: amelieartist@aol.com.
March 12-14, 2021 Arts and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach, FL. Abstracting the Coastal Landscape. Email Hanna Joensuu: hanna222@cox.net.
April 21-23, 2021 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC Click Here for Information and Registration
May 14-15, 2021 Art Alliance of Greensboro, Greensboro, NC. Contact Liz Busch: email: artalliancegso@gmail.com
As always, thanks for your support!
David
Simple Color System Colorwheel
If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.
You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.
Have Put My Online Workshops On Sale Again Because I know How Hard it is to Travel to Workshops Right Now. You can see a full list of my Online Workshops Here.
ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings. On Sale Now-Save $50!
Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course. On Sale Now-Save $100!
Click Here to Find Out More
The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course! On Sale Now-Save 30% Off the Monthly Rate!
