timreedyfolio News

How the weather makes you a better artist.

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 15:30:19 CDT

This week's topic continues to focus on last month's visit to Bamburgh beach. There's plenty of sand for sandcastles. Storms appear without warning. The sea is icy cold and always changing colour. Beaches are perfect haunts for artists in search of inspiration.

You probably won't be building sandcastles.

Why you won't be building sandcastles.

The minute I arrived at Bamburgh beach, I arrived with an Olympus PEN E-PL1 camera. There was a blue sky. It was hard to look for inspiration when you have a blue sky. You won't find much variety in aquamarine blue. I took photographs of seaweed. Hues of green gives you a lot to work from. A few minutes later, the weather changed. Black clouds showed. Grey clouds. White clouds. A North Sea wind blasted across the sand. An amazing tour de force. Weather conditions changed in a matter of minutes. Now I had my inspiration and I could take pictures that mattered.

Why do weather pictures make us better artists?

Put it this way: if you presented a series of photographs of a blue sky to the viewer, they would probably look at them and say nothing. Present a series of pictures of storm clouds with an amalgamation of different greys, whites and blacks, you will have the viewer hooked. Put it another way: show the blue sky pictures to an infant child, they will unashamedly declare they are boring. When that happens, this is a sure indicator that your art work is poor. Show them the storm pictures and the same child will think they are magical. When that happens, you've succeeded as an artist. You're the better artist for braving the wind and capturing the unpredictability and hidden danger that lurks on beaches, other than sharks, crabs and quicksand. You have yourself a market for your work. You may find that your train fare and bills for the accomodation paid for themselves? Maybe you'll get an agent who hears about you and your work through word of mouth. A gallery show might follow. All because you decided to photograph a couple of storm clouds.

How to be an artist.

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:30:38 CDT

How do I Become An Artist?

Strictly speaking, you don't become an artist. Whether you like it or not, you already are an artist. Many people say they cannot draw and by that reasoning they are therefore not cut out to be an artist. Art is not about being great and skilled at drawing. It is about enjoying the process of art. It brings out your creative side. It makes you happy and creating something from your own hand is one of the most amazing things in the world.

When Art Historian EH Gombrich wrote the infamous words, "...there is no such thing as Art. You only have the artist..." in 'The Story of Art', he was making a judgement or an observation as an art historian. In my view, his comments aren't to be taken literally. They created many bad art teachers--the kind that said you couldn't draw to save your life. Art is open to interpretation, and while you enjoy Art, I think you should strive to be the best in your artistic field. You may wish to exhibit your work. But most certainly, you will be in a position to help others.

So Does This Mean I Can Call Myself An Expert Artist?

It does indeed. You can call yourself an expert. You may disagree. The word 'expert' is a much-misunderstood term. But let me tell you this: if you understand how to hold a brush, how to hold a pencil, which pencil to use, when to use charcoal, then you have more than enough expertise to help others. You will find fellow artists grateful to you for your help.

You may even want to be an art teacher. I have met several art teachers who always maintain it is one of the best jobs in the world because they are sharing their expertise and seeing new artists' skills bear fruit. It's about witnessing how their drawing technique improved because they told you how and why you should hold the pencil in a certain way. In short, they are helping them create Art.

Was Gombrich Right or Wrong?

Gombrich was wrong. Very wrong. There is such a thing as Art. So enjoy yourself.

Northumbria

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 06:02:49 CDT

This is the first posting in a long time--my apologies. I took some vacation and visited Northumbria. Bamburgh, to be precise. This has to be one of the most best places in the world to visit. Untouched by globalisation, you will not find a McDonald's, nor will you find a Caffe Nero. Instead, in their place are dainty little tea shops that sell food that is home-made. The locals are amazingly friendly, too. I think I will retire there when I am much older!

I took some photographs. I brought with me, my Olympus PEN E-PL1 camera, which is absolutely amazing. When you buy any new camera for the first time, it is essential that you get to know how it works. This is one of the few cameras that really do what they say on the tin. I kept the camera in its autofocus mode before I felt confident enough to operate it manually. This is something you should do. I took some good pictures. And I took some bad pictures. But that is not unexpected with new cameras.

Anyway, the outcome can be found on my site. I hadn't bargained for the North Sea wind when I was taking the photographs...and it was very, very cold on the beach, mid-afternoon. My advice? Wear a hoodie under your jacket. That way, you will protect your ears from the blast of the wind and the sand. But it's mostly the wind.

Photography

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 23:35:15 CST

Dear Tim,

How do I create a photograph that doesn't look blurred, as a result of using the camera manually? I have the camera on a tripod, and even the gentlest of touches still results in blurring. What can I do?

Best,

A Confused Stop-Motion Animator.

Dear Confused Stop-Motion Animator,

Try the self-timer. This should get rid of the blurring issue, and you will find yourself creating the pictures you've always wanted.

Best,

Tim

The five best things to draw

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:52:58 CDT

The five best things to draw.

1. Rooks. These birds are very tame and quite trusting of humans. I love them because they are such beautiful creatures.

2. Dogs. These are harder to draw if they are running around chasing squirrels. But they are the laziest animals ever--always sleeping at home, so if you want a life model, a dog is a good starting point. Even David Hockney used to draw his dachshunds.

3. People. They are amazing to draw.

4. Buildings. How many amazing buildings have you seen that have made you say, I have to draw that!

5. Fruit. Any fruit. Then ask yourself how many variations of the same colour can you see? Maybe you will feel the urge to paint them, too?