Art Quality Inflation

[the_gneech]

Hmm ... I've been working on a sketch off and on today, a piece of "just because" art to keep my brain awake during a slow period here, and I'm not happy with it. It's a fairly decent piece, nothing really "wrong" with it, but not up to the standard I'd like my art to normally have.

And as I pondered that realization, it occurred to me that in a roundabout way, that actually says something pretty good about my art -- this is a piece that at one time I would have been very proud of. To be looking at it with a critical eye now, indicates to me that my estimation of my own skills has gone up noticeably. "Not bad" just doesn't cut it any more, apparently!

I don't know if I'll bother to finish this one (in fact, upon reflection, I'm inclined to doubt it), because its flaws go all the way down to the foundations and it would be easier to just take the basic concept and start over -- treat this one as a draft, as it were. But I did get some valuable practice from it (particularly with figure/musculature construction), so it was worth the time and effort. :)

-The Gneech

PS: It is really, REALLY dark outside. There are reports of a tornado in Rockville, and we're due to have thunderstorms later on. Perfect way to restart my Kung Fu training with a bang!

Comments

[joeygatorman.livejournal.com]

Well, the storm just passed our house in Montgomery Village, and the town’s still standing, save for a felled tree or two. A tree fell at Apple Ridge Road, the street where my high school, Watkins Mill, is located.

-Gatorman

[torakiyoshi.livejournal.com]

If you're gonna get rid of it, stick it in an envelope and mail it to me, and I'll throw it out for you. :)

-=TK

[http://users.livejournal.com/_litho_/]

I understand that.

I had a similar epiphany recently.

It was... "Wow... if I work at a piece... you know, concentrate, then I really don't produce blatantly shit art anymore."

This was when I was looking at a piece I wasn't happy with, mostly because I drew it while I was without inspiration... a state that happens scarily often. And while technically it was... you know... fine, I guess, it wasn't what I wanted it to be. but it meant that my technical skills have progressed to the point where I now rely more on my artistic imagination, than trying to draw it right.

Practice makes perfect, or so they say.

Personally, I don't think art can be perfect... you'll always believe you can do better. So let's just settle for Practice makes Better.

- Litho.