danteort
May 22nd, 2004, 10:42 AM
This is a list of some common things to watch out for, given to me by my watercolor teacher a while ago. I thought it would be helpful to share it here.
Organizational Problems
Overworked - fussy, unnecessary details. Try to be succinct.
Redundant - using line and tone to both say the same thing, form/volume. This destroys freshness and the illusion of volume.
Random tones and lines - erratic. You need an idea/system of how to make the two work together. Assign roles to each conceptually.
Monotonous showing off of clever control as opposed to inventive and masterly control that serves a purpose (your intention). This work is often illustrational and not dynamic.
No unification - working bit by bit, piecemeal and sequentially rather than simultaneously all over the composition will result in lack of continuity, energy, and rhythmic forces.
Random shifts between 2D and 3D - this shows uncertainty about what your purpose/goal/intentions are. Need spatial organization and clarity - logical sequence.
Random placement of composition on the page - shows ignorance of the format's effect on the image. Imbalance, crowded or too empty are the results.
Divided artwork - lines or shapes or objects divide the picture and isolate one part. This destroys unity of the composition.
Imbalance - this comes from the visually unstable placement, direction, weight, scale, and value of elements.
Generalized - too much essential info is left out, due to lack of understanding. Possibilities are suggested, conclusions are hinted at to the point where the art seems vague and unsure instead of mysterious.
Expressive Problems
Trying so hard to be correct that emotional response is inhibited. No dynamic. Concentrating too hard on disconnected details.
Too much concern with the message, story, or subject and not enough concern with the visual effect.
Too trite, sentimental, romantic, stereotypical.
Too much influence by other's work - lacks personal response, daring, and conviction.
Conflicting meanings - no clear mood, attitude, style of handling. A mishmash. Changes of intention during the process; confusion.
General Problems
Poor proportion - exaggeration.
Adding volume, shading where there should not be any.
Drawing parts - not seeing and drawing the whole; segmented thinking.
Inability to maintain gesture/life/energy during development.
Obsession with detail at the expense of structure.
Same handling of every part and of all models/subjects/objects.
Inability (or inattention) to understand light on the form.
Inattention to understanding and looking at the entire structure in the round by viewing from a variety of positions.
Lack of planning (crowded, off page).
Trying to resolve the form prematurely (lack of willingness to revise, impatience to finish).
Lack of sensitivity to how the mark contributes to reading the form.
Inability to understand how anatomy changes with the figure in motion.
Inability to place the figure/objects/landscape into a space/atmosphere (e.g., hard edges everywhere).
Poor working methodology and over-reliance on photos.
Lack of work ethic and tenacity.
Disinterest in examining/learning from art history.
Lack of intentioin, emotion, or idea before starting.
Organizational Problems
Overworked - fussy, unnecessary details. Try to be succinct.
Redundant - using line and tone to both say the same thing, form/volume. This destroys freshness and the illusion of volume.
Random tones and lines - erratic. You need an idea/system of how to make the two work together. Assign roles to each conceptually.
Monotonous showing off of clever control as opposed to inventive and masterly control that serves a purpose (your intention). This work is often illustrational and not dynamic.
No unification - working bit by bit, piecemeal and sequentially rather than simultaneously all over the composition will result in lack of continuity, energy, and rhythmic forces.
Random shifts between 2D and 3D - this shows uncertainty about what your purpose/goal/intentions are. Need spatial organization and clarity - logical sequence.
Random placement of composition on the page - shows ignorance of the format's effect on the image. Imbalance, crowded or too empty are the results.
Divided artwork - lines or shapes or objects divide the picture and isolate one part. This destroys unity of the composition.
Imbalance - this comes from the visually unstable placement, direction, weight, scale, and value of elements.
Generalized - too much essential info is left out, due to lack of understanding. Possibilities are suggested, conclusions are hinted at to the point where the art seems vague and unsure instead of mysterious.
Expressive Problems
Trying so hard to be correct that emotional response is inhibited. No dynamic. Concentrating too hard on disconnected details.
Too much concern with the message, story, or subject and not enough concern with the visual effect.
Too trite, sentimental, romantic, stereotypical.
Too much influence by other's work - lacks personal response, daring, and conviction.
Conflicting meanings - no clear mood, attitude, style of handling. A mishmash. Changes of intention during the process; confusion.
General Problems
Poor proportion - exaggeration.
Adding volume, shading where there should not be any.
Drawing parts - not seeing and drawing the whole; segmented thinking.
Inability to maintain gesture/life/energy during development.
Obsession with detail at the expense of structure.
Same handling of every part and of all models/subjects/objects.
Inability (or inattention) to understand light on the form.
Inattention to understanding and looking at the entire structure in the round by viewing from a variety of positions.
Lack of planning (crowded, off page).
Trying to resolve the form prematurely (lack of willingness to revise, impatience to finish).
Lack of sensitivity to how the mark contributes to reading the form.
Inability to understand how anatomy changes with the figure in motion.
Inability to place the figure/objects/landscape into a space/atmosphere (e.g., hard edges everywhere).
Poor working methodology and over-reliance on photos.
Lack of work ethic and tenacity.
Disinterest in examining/learning from art history.
Lack of intentioin, emotion, or idea before starting.