I read somewhere (maybe in the book Mixing Work with Pleasure) that when travelling Hayao Miyazaki would often get lost just staring at a building or a tree or at people, and then later confess he was memorizing elements of the scene to draw later. That approach isn't exactly 'taking a break' but a good reminder that even when not drawing or taking photos you can absorb things that become part of your art later.
We go through cycles. There are profound gifts in being in the moment, without a lens or sketch pad between us and the world. Sometimes we just need to go there, just like you did.
On the other hand, you’re helping your students establish a way of looking at the world, perhaps a new way of looking at the world, to establish a new habit that they might find is the most rewarding habit they've encountered. They can choose, but only if they know what options exist. You're merely exposing them to options, so their choices can be meaningful.
When I was young, I was very obsessed with photography (this is in the days of film). Everywhere I went, and especially on my hiking expeditions, I took pictures. Then I lost my camera gear when a canoe tipped over. I decided to do without for a while. It was liberating. I spent more time looking. It changed my life.
Beautiful advice. Reading the artist's way really helped me in my time of burnout and in it the concept that we all have wells of images within that we draw on for inspiration really stuck with me. To refresh that well, you need to sometimes just put down your camera, your pen, shut down your pc and just experience new things. Then, unknowingly the images you have seen(as you have perceived them) will come to you as inspiration in your moment ofnneed, that's been my experience at least. Thanks for sharing!!
I read somewhere (maybe in the book Mixing Work with Pleasure) that when travelling Hayao Miyazaki would often get lost just staring at a building or a tree or at people, and then later confess he was memorizing elements of the scene to draw later. That approach isn't exactly 'taking a break' but a good reminder that even when not drawing or taking photos you can absorb things that become part of your art later.
I think that is probably a curse all artists have. Hope all is well Spencer! Thanks for commenting.
We go through cycles. There are profound gifts in being in the moment, without a lens or sketch pad between us and the world. Sometimes we just need to go there, just like you did.
On the other hand, you’re helping your students establish a way of looking at the world, perhaps a new way of looking at the world, to establish a new habit that they might find is the most rewarding habit they've encountered. They can choose, but only if they know what options exist. You're merely exposing them to options, so their choices can be meaningful.
Both ends of the pendulum. Thanks for your comment!
When I was young, I was very obsessed with photography (this is in the days of film). Everywhere I went, and especially on my hiking expeditions, I took pictures. Then I lost my camera gear when a canoe tipped over. I decided to do without for a while. It was liberating. I spent more time looking. It changed my life.
Beautiful advice. Reading the artist's way really helped me in my time of burnout and in it the concept that we all have wells of images within that we draw on for inspiration really stuck with me. To refresh that well, you need to sometimes just put down your camera, your pen, shut down your pc and just experience new things. Then, unknowingly the images you have seen(as you have perceived them) will come to you as inspiration in your moment ofnneed, that's been my experience at least. Thanks for sharing!!