How Many Here are Artists?

[Ishil]

I'm curious, how many of the people who visit here are generally good artistically? I see such great work shown off on this board. Personally, I have zero artistic talent, and I'm sure that must mean there's a limit I can't go beyond when miniatiure-painting.

[Evilbob]

I consider myself artistic.

But my 'art' is jewelry.

I used to paint on canvas and what not as well, but that is so very much bigger than a miniature that the skill is very diffrent (and I had sort of a PopArt style).

I've been painting minis on and off for about 7 years but the bulk of my improvements have been in the last year and the leaps and bounds in the last 3-4 months.

So yes I have and artistic background, but I firmly believe that it's practice and paitence.

[skavenbabe]

Took art classes all my schooling life starting at about age 10, went a couple years at the Art Institute, then real life derailed all my plans of becoming a paid/working artist. Of course I have a fabulous, smart, funny, artistic, silly, inquisitive, scientist who invents teleporters (he says), 10 year old son instead. Sounds like a good trade off to me

[dargrin]

I posed a simular question a while back. This is what I got for responses.

 

Linky

 

As for me nothing more then High school art. I have made lots and lots of making mistakes and listening to criticism even though it can be hard to take.

 

I just re-read this and never really answered the question "Do I think I am good artistically?" I think that good is in the eye of the beholder. If you like it you like it. If you don't say what I can do better so that I can try and get more practice at what ever it is I am doing.

[Jeff LaMarche]

I'm curious, how many of the people who visit here are generally good artistically? I see such great work shown off on this board. Personally, I have zero artistic talent, and I'm sure that must mean there's a limit I can't go beyond when miniatiure-painting.

 

I used to feel the same way you seem to. Art has always been hard for me and I've never been able to produce work of the quality I'd like. But, even though art comes easier to some than others, it is not a mystical ability. It can be learned, it just takes time and practice.

 

There is nobody who has "zero artistic talent". If you find something you want to create badly enough that you're willing to spend the time and effort, you'll become an "artist".

 

Prior to about eighteen months ago, I had no art background short of required high school art classes.

I started sculpting, drawing from life, and have taken a few sculpture "adult ed" classes since then. I'm no Rodin (by a long shot), but the difference between what I'm doing now and what I was doing when I started is striking. Plus, it's a blast.

[Nikmal]

I am artistic at least to myself :) I can draw and paint on canvas easily enough.. need lots more practice to get up to my canvas painting standards on minis though. Painting a mini is so much different then painting on a flat surface :) I have done some lost wax castings for jewelry and such too. I am actually thinking about getting back into jewelry making and sellinig it locally here in chicago and on the web :)

[Mengu]

I have no art background. Most days, I wish I did. I just ogle at people who can draw, and drool over paintings.

[mooseyjoe]

Another atristicy person here, but my number one media is clay. I haven't been painting minis for long, but it is alot of fun to hold up one of the first ones next to a recent one and see the improvement.

[ReaperShaun]

Yes Im pretty artistic. I took alot of art classes in Highschool and college. My major in college was technical theatre. It is actually a great background for miniature painting and scenery making. Learned lots about color, paint, scenery, lighting, etcetera.

[ixminis]

Hrm, no real formal training, but lots and lots of exposure via family, friends, and public television. Also a family ethic about always remembering how important continual education/learning is to continued growth.

 

The formal training was in music... However, the effort it takes to improve in music is similar to the effort, repitition, and persistence necessary to improve in painting (sculpting or any other medium one wants to learn)

 

Rgds,

[smokingwreckage]

I can sketch a little. Some of what I have produced has been published (gaming publications I hastilly point out) and one picture was said to be "intimidating" (in a good way I hope) by a quite skilled illustrator called Josh Deck. I really haven't done anything artistic with sketches for the last few years, but I HAVE gotten OK at painting miniatures. In both cases my style is frankly pretty dirty, untutored, and hurried (even when it takes ages) and you either dig it or you don't.

[jjpens77]

I actually got started with Tamiya military models and enamel paints when I was in my teens! Only got into painting miniatures about 3 years ago. Really no formal training...just what I've gleened from the boards and websites.

[Sergeant_Crunch]

I've always liked doing artistic things, but wouldn't in my wildest dream consider myself an artist.

[Jeff LaMarche]

I've always liked doing artistic things, but wouldn't in my wildest dream consider myself an artist.

 

I feel much the same way. I find that people often self-apply the term "artist" in an ostentatious manner, and there are a lot of underlying (very subjective) connotations that go along with that term. As a label, "artist" is frought with issues.

 

I enjoy creating, though I'm not particularly good at it, and nobody pays me to do it, so I wouldn't call myself an artist, either. I enjoy art of all kinds, and feel like I get huge benefits from the process of creating... the labels don't really matter, to be honest.

 

The original poster, I think, was talking more in terms of formal art training, though. Maybe not. I dunno. Time to shut up now.

[Froggy the Great]

I consider myself an artist, but much more of a tinkerer or hobbyist than an Ah'tiste.

 

I am also a firm believer in the maxim "Just because it sucks doesn't make it art."