Q & A #1

  It's Sunday in Singapore. I thought a good way to encourage you, yes you, to ask me questions would be to have a question and answer segment on my blog. I'm hoping to do them every fortnight on Sundays.

Question 1: Talent needed, or practice?

I was wondering if you just have to practice a lot or have to have talent to be able to draw/paint nicely because i'm not really talented but I'd love to draw better. Also, what are good ways to practice drawing and painting?

My Answer:

Having natural inclination to something (not talent, no one is born knowing how to do something) is good. However, if you do not work hard, that "talent" goes to waste. Someone who has talent but is lazy will easily be overtaken by someone who has not much talent but is full of passion and works hard.

Question 2: Any other artists like Thomas Cole?

His paintings are absolutely astounding, and I am just wondering if there artists like him, or any that come to mind?

My Answer:

There are SO MANY. :) Aside, you have excellent taste in Art. They are mid-nineteenth century American painters of the Hudson River School. Of which, I remember Frederic Church the best.

Click here for Hudson River School Painters Image Search

And here for Frederick Church Image Search

[His reply was: "This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!"]

Question 3: How to develop drawing style?

I started drawing in the 6th grade. I draw wolves and other animals. I'm 15 now, and I've been trying to mimic all these other art styles that I see because I can't seem to find my own, and if I don't do it perfectly, I get so angry and flip out. I've tried drawing in my own style but I can't seem to make it work.

What am I to do?

My Answer:

Style develops over time, without you noticing. Mimicking is good. Learn from the best. You can't just wake up one day and have "style". Style is built over what skills you have. Frustration, to an extent, is good. It means you want to be good at drawing very bad. But don't get discouraged. Keep at it. You'll get there eventually.

  And with that, I'll end this episode of Q & A. Coincidentally, this is my 100th post. Woohoo! I hope that was some help to you even if they were not your question. If you'd like to ask me a question, you can reach me at < stephanie_jennifer@ymail.com >. Or in the comments section below. Anonymous commenting is enabled. So, ask away.