A long time ago I thought I needed to know absolutely everything about laws & rules on painting and especially on portrait painting. The more theoretical knowledge the better. For example regarding colours. I examined the Goethe’s and Itten´s colour theories. However I hardly understood a tenth of it. How often have I put away books to take them in hand yet again? More than once I wondered whether book knowledge was really my ´peace of cake´. In fact, I developed an aversion to theories in general. Not really convenient of course if you want to become a professional artist. Sometimes my progress suffered from slowness. Now, after all these years, I have freed myself from the idea that a thorough theoretical knowledge is essential for a good start. I created my own rules and verities. I failed my way to success.
Please listen to the attached video : Neil Gaiman’s commencement speech to the University of the arts graduating class of 2012 Philadelphia. A touching speech for making your own rules in art and ignore sometimes existing theories and dogma´s.
Below the written text of the speech.
Neil Gaiman’s commencement speech to the University of the arts graduating class of 2012 Philadelphia
I never really expected to find myself giving advice to people graduating from an establishment of higher education. I never graduated from any such establishment. I never even started at one. I escaped from school as soon as I could, when the prospect of four more years of enforced learning before I’d become the writer I wanted to be was stifling. Continue reading “Law unto yourself ?”