of practice and materials

One may notice, that there is a line of attack on landscape as a “ Sunday painter's “ pursuit for leisure. Or at best, his weapon for bravado in art world. Why and how this attack came about? I have discussed this before. A little more.

Impressionists were never Sunday painters. They gave their lives and careers for this foolish passion. Gaugain for example left thriving stock market wealth and legal practice to struggle as a painter! But as I have said earlier and many say this in derision, landscape from scenes , while on trip, makes one an amateur 'artist' amongst his friends. Well, we are not part of that 'kind'. But then landscape painter, or painter who is devoted largely to landscapes, has to refute this by his example. The onus lies on us.

One of the major bane or failing of landscape in regard to keeping with time, is non seriousness of the practioner of this genre. For earning a living many of us follow other professions or allied art forms. Well and good. But then do we keep constant DAILY practice with this art form? If not daily, how about a bit more than weekends? And here the art of working from photographs will come into play. We city folks will not be able to paint on weekdays, but then those who are 'serious' will try adapting from references. The insistence of working on locale and also 'not from photographs' is clearly interlinked. And so we see paucity of opportunities of painting landscapes and hence lack of practice and final resultant amateurishness.

How much and how many times is a personal choice? But nothing comes easy if you are not divinely blessed, which contrary to every one's belief we are not! So years of constant SADHANA ..meaning practice is indispensable. Painting once a week for a few years will delude you with skill at the most!

And then question comes of the economics! Daily practice requires materials. Yes they do! And papers of high quality cost a bob and artist quality colours of international brands a big fortune! Then what? This dilemma has many aspects.

First from personal experience, a general impression about 'professionals' getting great work each time is using best materials. We can't afford it! Now this will be dicey and complicated. First, as all professional will somewhat guiltily 'claim' that good materials only won't suffice. And its not a question of affordability alone but also of choice. 

Correct. But allow me go deeper and be a bit brash. All the better artists , at least in India, have trudged early years on 'inferior'(?) materials honing their skills like any art student. And constant practice need not be shied away from lack of affording better materials. And once you get on higher plane, and if you 'make it'... who is stopping you from using better materials regularly? And frankly if one is really passionate then he will spend on materials at cost of all else... a certain Van Gough did!!!

Let me give an anlogy. In Indian cricket team, we have two 'artists' with bat... Tendulkar and Laxman who dazzle one and all with their artistry with willow. So, what is their secret? Anyone taking their bat or 'affording' to use such bat, should be able to play reasonably well, if not 'that well'. Nobody will be that good but then what stops others from coming anywhere near? And both of them must have worked for years with 'normal' gear on practice pitches to arrive here. Even now, before the match, both are given only practice pitches ....even if HE is GOD!!!!

So let us understand, that good material will not guarantee the great work each time. Agreed that good material is conducive for better results and better paper responds better to your experiments. But one has to attain that understanding and experience to try that skill and then by all means use Arches/ Artistco! Constant practice and giving thought all your life to your vocation is first requirement. And one sub section on this problem. We see many advanced painters using 'imported' materials of affordable range, what is called 'amateur' range abroad. And expecting to get great results. Well many times they don't! And then they get disheartened. From my personal experience such range is an eye wash. Rather go whole hog and use the best or make do with ordinary stuff. Its a subtle pride and mirage we are running behind in using the so called 'international' brands. What you pay for, you get! So I for one, will rather went for Indian Handmade than some 'amateur' range. And mind you, once you get 'real' mastery over the medium then any..ANY paper in the world will not hinder you. I vouch it from my own experience and all of those who know will too.

So lets stop beating around the bush and start working regularly with whatever we can 'afford' :-)