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Painting Challenge, BBC, again.... Episode 2
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Message
Posted
I just want to jump in and defend Pascal and his comment about not only painting what you like to paint.
I think what he means (it's certainly what I took him to mean) is that the skills you need to improve cannot always be learned by doing the same thing over and over.
If you love painting pictures of cement lorries and do that exclusively then being made to paint cows or petunias or portraits will open your eyes to a whole world of colour, texture, etc. and you can take those new understandings back to your next picture of a cement lorry and it will be the better for it.
Also, hello.
--Matt
Posted
Hallo Matt, or may I call you Twirlip? Welcome to our select throng..
Yes, I think you have a point there - and indeed, I've just said on another thread that we all need to draw, and draw anything that comes our way - something I meant to add but didn't: also try many different media, and surfaces - perhaps especially surfaces: some who think they can't draw and they'll never be able to draw and I'm going to break all my pencils and jump on my pastels (it can get you like that...) are just using a paper or board that's not going to work for them, at least not at the stage they've reached. Nor does shiny graphite work for everyone - charcoal (which of course some hate!) can be a lot more forgiving - and there are many different grades of charcoal, and carbon.... In a way, there may be too many media for one person to get to grips with - ink, charcoal, pastel, brush, pen, graphite, oil pastel, wax crayon, coloured pencil, silverpoint, carbon pencil, conté crayon: and then the different paints; and then the different brands of paints .... it can make you tired just thinking about it. But I would always say, try as many media as you can: I know it gets expensive but it pays off in the end.
Posted
Welcome Matt. Yes, a very valid point. However we shouldn't be made to feel guilty for enjoying our comfort zone because of course everyone is different. I have just come back to the site after quite a long absence. Nobody's fault here but I was so inspired by the different types of media that the artists were using here that I kept trying different things and I, unfortunately, lost my way, and had to take time out in order to figure out what I really wanted to do. Obviously a lot of artists grow and develop by experimenting but some of us are just happy to be as they are.
I can't really remember the music of the Communards but I did know that the good Rev. had been a member in his 'wild days'. His words, not mine. He is also a presenter of Saturday Live, on BBC Radio 4. Not sure how he manages his church duties with his celeb ones. And not sure if he paints as well. Though I was surprised to see him presenting the Challenge.
Incidentally I am also following 'The Big Pottery Throwdown' on Thursday evenings - the same format except no mentors. Lots of blood, sweat and tears and angst going on there too!
Posted
Adele,
I agree that no one should be made to feel guilty. I mean, we're mainly doing this for fun. But I reckon that on a TV show that emphasised teaching in it's application process you'd be a bit daft not to expect at least a bit of prodding. If you went to a general art class and refused to do anything but paint flowers you'd not be making the best use of it.
--Matt
Posted
Well that's another point that I agree with Matt. That's why I can't understand why some of the artists in the Challenge don't want to broaden their artistic talents and take the advice on hand whether they agree with it or not because that is what the programme is about. And yes, art is fun especially if you are doing it more for a hobby and not as a means of making your living, which thank goodness I am not.
Posted
I think there's a conflict between art as it's perceived and art as it's practised. Generalising wildly, some people feel that art is innate; that you bare your soul to the canvas and something called 'art' is the end product. Which is problematic when the task at hand is more like a craft (or perhaps a technical exercise) requiring you to apply specific techniques to turn the 3d into the 2d.
I'm enjoying the show. I think Pascal and Diana give some pretty solid advice. I think they give more advice that we don't see which is a shame. It'd be nice if these programmes had an extended version on iPlayer, like some Radio 4 shows do.
I especially like Pascal's moustache. I think he moonlights as a Nigel Mansell impersonator.
Posted
Seems obious to me that the very presence of mentors/advisors, indicates that the entrants have been chosen on similar skill levels so that nobody absolutely stand out to cause clear favouritism or have "previous" a la Strictly Come Dancing. This might also be a reason for the choice of subjects.
Posted
<div>Pascal does remind me of someone with that moustache - not sure if is Nigel Mansell though. Thank you for that image Marjorie! Nevertheless you are right, he would suit a bathing costume from that era. Of course every time I see him in future I shall picture Nigel Mansell in a Victorian bathing costume and hat sitting in a racing car!!</div>
Posted
Unfortunately they have adopted the "Apprentice" approach of firing someone each week. It is a great shame, as some are not given the opportunity to shine at what they do best. Artists are usually judged on what they want to present, not their general ability to paint anything. So the winner will be the best generalist, unless they use the public vote for the final decision, in which case we will get the most unusual. It was interesting thought that last Sunday, we did not get the general public, we got people that worked in the zoo (specialists).
Posted
Robert. "I'm even beginning to regret my decision to avoid Sky…because I can't bear Rupert Murdoch…" Whatever you do don't surrender now; I'm with you all the way; I will never (willingly or knowingly) give Murdoch a single penny of my money. We must stand together. Grit your teeth and remember the good cause.