Friday, July 06, 2007

To be honest

I have to admit: when browsing through my art blog feeds, I usually look at the pictures, briefly go through the the text, and proceed to the next blog. A post from Emma's "Art, plz" blog made me stop and read carefully. It's really, really well written. It has a touch humor, a touch of personality, and a ton of wisdom. And good sketches to go with it, too! No wonder she works for Pixar. Have a look. Then come back, I want to add something.

[No no, don't continue - read her post first!]

So. Drawing honest is absolutely where the gold is. That's a great notion. Problem is, most of us consume mind-food in the same way we consume body-food: if it's not tasty, we're not going to eat it, no matter how good the nutrition value is. You can be honest till you're blue in the face, and it won't do anybody any good if it's not well put together.

That, folks, is the catch22 of good artwork: if you focus on good form you lose the honesty, if you don't – you lose your audience. How do you get honest, then?

I think, by taking the long road. You spend some years climbing up the mountain of craftsmanship, working hard to conquer form. Then you spend some more years climbing down again - down to reality, down to where your audience lives, down to content. It takes time and effort to learn how to use the craft as a consultant, not a tyrant. Once you can do that, then – and ONLY then – you can, and should, draw honest.

4 comments:

Emma said...

Hi Doron, I'm glad my post sparked something!

I think in keeping your art accessible but still interesting and useful to yourself, you end up running the thin line between honest and ugly... cause if you stray over into ugly without anything behind the drawing, nobody wants to look at it. And I think sometimes you find that a drawing is beautiful from unexpected places...?

I like your mountain analogy. It's frustrating to be able to see the top of the mountain and then realize you have to climb down again and pick up reality... :)

Have you seen Gipi - http://giannigipi.blogspot.com/
? I feel like his drawings are pretty honest. Sometimes unattractive people, but always interesting.

Rafi BA said...

Indeed an interesting notion. Thanks for sharing that Doron (and Emma).

You and your mountains... hehe :)

Antelmo Villarreal said...

love the work man,

toughtful insight also :)

Omer N said...

i like your mountain analogy.
i also think its the same idea in every aspect of life, in the end the goal is getting back to the starting point, only the difference is this time you achieve it yourself and not as a gift. the most honest art are those 5 yr old scribbles at kidergarden. check this guy out, cool huh?

http://www.themonsterengine.com