How long did that take you?

Posted on May 6, 2026 by artkleko

A question so often asked when patrons are viewing your artwork. Why do they do it?

Why do so many consider the amount of detail and perceived ‘effort’ in an artwork as the ultimate indicator of its worth? An artist can spend 6 months on a painting, have it framed and displayed and regardless of its price, the first questions asked are about detail and time taken to create the artwork. What about artists who create wonderful artworks in days or even hours? Does a handicapping system exist in the art world? If some artists charged a ‘reasonable’ hourly rate, their work would retail for the equivalent cost of a car! If you sold a drawing for $2000 that took you all of 4 hours, would you say anything to your buyer? I don’t think so!

Both drawings were extremely time consuming, but worth the effort. Left: Silence at the Table, 2010 City of Burnie Art Prize winner. Right:Ancient Light, 2025 finalist, Hadley’s Art Prize (sold).

Speaking about ‘quick’ art, I clearly remember completing a canvas 120 x 180 cms in 2 hours almost 50 years ago, that sold for a very tidy sum (in those days) before the week had passed. The buyer was very pleased with his purchase. No questions were asked

Shells from Sisters Beach, less than 2 hours work then sold to a Sydney buyer.

We’ve been brought up to think that the longer you take to produce something creative, the greater its value. ‘Detail’ is well entrenched in the mind of average art buyer. The amount of effort equates to the amount of time taken.  It’s value for money, guaranteeing a sound investment. Where does minimalist art sit in all this?

Family Ties, Derwent Valley, a digital drawing, pixel by pixel that took me months to complete.

Many of my solo exhibitions have featured highly detailed work, but a good deal of my artwork over the years has also celebrated minimal detail when depicting everyday objects. They are ‘cleansed’ of information that I deem irrelevant to the composition, while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the subject. How long do each of these drawings take to create? You may be surprised!

In 2025 I had a solo exhibition at my representative gallery in Tasmania. Harmony On High Street in Campbell Town, is an eclectic gallery and its clients are more often than not, after artwork containing a high degree of detail. Sales of my drawings have been quite good, due to its detail and presentation. Comments from buyers, backup that claim. Was holding an exhibition of minimalist work a gamble or just foolhardy? I saw it as a gamble, but I sought a change from my current work and had a yearning to return to the style that I had pursued 10 years ago. I only sold 3, but sold several more in the months following the exhibition. Reflecting on this result, I concluded that although the artwork was popular with patrons, it wasn’t actively sought after. This wasn’t the art for this particular market. Strangely enough, no-one asked me about my process for creating the work, nor how long it took me to complete each one. Maybe they thought I could complete a drawing in under 60 minutes.

Examples of my minimalist style (cleansed) drawings

Well, how long do my minimalist drawings take?

Apart from spontaneous art, preparation is vital. Firstly, research and planning. Once I’ve decided on what the exhibition is about, I document my thoughts, visit appropriate areas (landscapes for example), take many, many photos, check what photos I already have on file and decide what each drawing will feature. Now comes the hard part! Once I’ve decided on my subjects, I have to decide on their composition.  I need to consider a focal point and close, near and far when constructing each drawing. Detail (or the lack of it) is the next challenge. I want to remove all that I consider ‘unnecessary’, such as fences, power poles, roads, even animals. These drawings are about the landscape itself the next challenge involves selecting the appropriate colour palette for each particular subject. I try to use pure pencil colours, hence there is lots of testing involved. Once everything is decided I draw up my composition and begin the colouring stage which can be slow at times because such a technique involves the application of clean, even colours. Up to 4 layers of pencil are applied. Because of the lack of detail, it’s easy to spot any uneven areas. I like the look and finish of my ‘cleansed’ landscapes. The preparation, research, planning and production of such artwork is much longer time-wise than it looks. Do I then charge by the hour? No way!

Richard

In my next blogpost: Stoned

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CAN ART CURE TRAUMA? Part 3.

Posted on April 29, 2026 by artkleko

What’s my proposed book, THE ART OF COLOUR THERAPY all about?

Since the release in 2015 of my “Not Your Average Adult Colouring Book”, I have conducted a number of Art Therapy workshops both here in Tasmania and on the Australian mainland. They have all been very successful and have prompted me over the past few years to publish a second book, this time as an aide to therapy rather than ‘colouring in’. The middle of last year saw me begin to research possible ways to present a series of meaningful, yet challenging illustrations that would be of interest to others. All was going well until I had surgery in November, but this March saw me return to the task at hand. I’m almost at the stage of having a meeting with a local printing company, Flying Colours, who did an excellent job on my first book. I prefer supporting local industries as in this case, I can keep a close check on production and know what the product will look and feel like. I want this book to be double-sided and the paper to be strong enough to cope with coloured pencils, felt pens, paint pens and watercolours on both sides without any bleeding.

Page 1 from my first book, coloured and framed

The art therapy book will be for everyone, regardless of age, ability and art experience. The illustrations will appear in order of detail and challenge. Each can be added to with a fine point felt pen, either before or during colouring and afterwards for ‘cleaning up’. Colour choices are purely personal as well as the orientation of each page. I will provide appropriate background information on suggestions on how to approach the book as well as a list of possible ways to construct your own colour palette.

Objects floating in a pond. Coloured, they take on a different interpretation

All the illustrations, no matter how abstract some may look, are sourced from linear depictions of parts or entire drawings that I have completed (in colour) over the past 5 years. In other words, everything in this book is sourced from my observations in nature.

A template from my second book with a personal interpretation using coloured pencils and pens.

Once you’ve purchased a copy the book belongs to you. In regards to how and why you interpret the templates is a matter of personal choice. A number of ways to tackle this book are provided, but you are welcome to set your own course. Remember, art therapy is all about the process, the end product is a bonus, proof of your efforts. Some may see it as a souvenir.

Whoever you are, wherever you come from, whatever life experiences you’ve had, this book offers you an escape, a tonic, a journey, even an opportunity to address any negativity that you burden.

From time to time I will be posting updates, maybe even a few teasers!

My next blogpost: “How long did that take you?” Why do people often ask this question?

Richard

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CAN ART CURE TRAUMA? Part 2.

Posted on April 22, 2026 by artkleko

During March I had a solo exhibition at my representative gallery, Harmony On High Street, in Campbell Town, Tasmania. This was not the best of times for me as I was still dealing with my experiences over the previous 3 months. I was grateful that I had completed all the drawings by the previous November. The exhibition opening went well with some work sold, added to by a good number of greeting cards. Copies of my first adult colouring book were also popular and I’m amazed that following its release in 2015, copies are regularly sold at the gallery. It’s now time for a second edition!

I had begun work on my second book last year but everything had stalled due to my health issues. Late February saw me take an interest in the book once again and I planned a workshop at the gallery for mid-March to ‘test-drive’ one of my latest templates for the proposed book. I wasn’t disappointed as the workshop was a great success and gave me the impetus to keep on developing illustrations that would be appropriate for a positive art therapy experience. But what about me?

I found much joy and satisfaction researching for the book. I’ve always placed a big emphasis on research when it came to planning my own artwork and this was no different.

I’m now at the stage of ‘testing’ my illustrations and this has become a time of relaxation, just what art therapy is about! This also began the time for me to face what I’d been through in recent months and deal with it through art.

RECOVERY – coloured pencils & pens – 40 x 60 cms

For the first quarter of the year I had struggled to complete as many drawings as I usually do at this time of the year, but returning to focus on the second book lifted my spirits no end and suddenly I had a purpose, a focal point. Research began in earnest and is ongoing. I am feeling less tense and feelings of depression have decreased significantly. I began seeing a psychologist 2 months ago and he has and continues to be a great help to me. 

This year, the majority of my artwork has been in line and it’s only in the past month that I have returned to colour. It was the result of my research that led to my first major ‘’therapy’ drawing, RECOVERY.

In its linear form, the drawing is a deconstructed view of the Tasmanian Midlands landscape, a favourite subject of mine that has realised several drawings over the past 5 years. But that didn’t matter on this occasion. Before me was a drawing full of interesting shapes that needed colour to ‘come alive’. I needed colour to lift myself out of my melancholy state. We were a match!

I chose a palette of Polychromos pencil colours that made me feel happy. Just looking at them made me feel good and immediately I was transformed into a relaxed, cheerful mode (and mood).

A detail from RECOVERY

Colour can do that as long as you can identify the right combination. Once I had sorted my palette I began colouring without planning ‘what and where’. I’m usually well organised and disciplined when it comes to planning and producing my artwork. This time it didn’t matter. The most important thing was to celebrate the colouring process by picking up whichever pencil I liked and applying it where I liked on the paper. In other words, I made it up as I went. I loved the freedom in this type of approach, but I also realised that it could result in mis-matched colour combinations.  To be honest, I simply didn’t care, I just went ahead regardless. Despite any possible negativity, the whole colouring journey was a joy and as the drawing developed, I found choosing the appropriate colours held no fear. It seemed that my subconscious took over and guided me through until I deemed the drawing to be completed. I felt lifted and energised by the experience! This was a purely process-driven exercise, but one that came with a finished drawing, a bonus! 

Never underestimate the power of colour. Purely linear art can also have a positive impact, as I have experienced especially with my ‘doodling’ compositions. Colour is more dramatic, more emotional, even memory-laden. It can recall both distant and recent memories purely by its appearance in the most random of circumstances. The Scarlet Red Luminance pencil still brings back vivid personal memories of my third stay in hospital and waiting for the ambulance last Christmas Eve, but I have now found the courage to use that particular colour (and related reds) in my drawing. Art certainly is a great healer!

My next post will explain what my planned book, “The Art of Colour Therapy” is about.

Richard

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CAN ART CURE TRAUMA? Part 1,

Posted on April 15, 2026 by artkleko

During the middle part of last year, I began research for another colouring book based on my workshop experiences in teaching colour therapy. Ideas were followed by a series of illustrations and everything was progressing smoothly until I had a scheduled operation in November. Before the surgery my urologist told me that only 1/100 men experienced issues following the procedure. That ‘1’ turned out to be me.

December was a traumatic month with 3 trips to the ED (2 in Hobart, resulting in hospital stays), the third being an ambulance ride (my first) on Christmas morning in Launceston. Christmas lunch was a ham sandwich in bed. Recovery throughout January was slow and further surgery followed in early February. Thankfully, I’m now feeling a lot better. The ED trips were all traumatic, but I’m employing the art therapy techniques I have developed over the past 10 years to help myself deal with what I experienced and it’s working! What’s art therapy really all about? 

Any creative pursuit can be beneficial in some way especially for those who have had negative experiences in their lives and are seeking something to lift their spirits. Art is one of them.

An exercise involving add ‘feel-good’ colours to a template I created, one of a number I use in my colour therapy workshops. In this instance I have applied colours that I consider ‘cheerful’. The original template is 18 x 18 cms. I used coloured pencils and a fineliner pen.

First and foremost, I see art therapy as primarily process-driven, as is the case with all the visual and performing arts. Physically handling art materials can often be enough for some. In the world of coloured pencils, simply picking up a ‘stick of colour’ and applying it to a sheet of paper can be extremely satisfying. The feeling that one is in control is empowering. On the other hand, just letting the pencil ‘do its own thing’ can also be beneficial. Just ‘colouring’ can be enough, regardless of what you draw and what colours you choose. This form of art therapy is about process, not product. It’s pure experience. The resulting artwork can be seen and recognised as a bonus, something to keep and refer back to from time to time.1

There is another side to art therapy that involves setting guidelines and expectations. I have found this approach highly successful in my workshops. It is based on a colour palette that relates to the needs of each participant. In other words, there is a purpose in colouring an illustration that directly relates to one’s life experiences, a specific event, or selecting a range of colours that reflects one’s personality. Regardless of the parameters of each workshop, the participants have control on the colours they choose and the way they complete their assigned task. By doing it ‘your way’, you have not only had a personal experience, but you will have ‘ownership’ of both the process and the product.

An A4-size image that began as a line drawing of markings made by a Scribbly Gum Moth on a eucalypt tree. An Autumn palette in coloured pencils.

In my second book I am aiming to complete 36 illustrations offering different challenges. There will be a number of guidelines on offer, but you simply may tackle each task your own way. Regardless of how you approach this book you can be assured that you have the opportunity of making each illustration ‘your own’. I’m hoping for the book to be released later in the year. I shall be posting regular updates on social media.

In my next post I will show you and explain what I did to deal with my own traumatic experiences.

Richard

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HADLEY’S ART PRIZE

Posted on September 16, 2025 by artkleko

HADLEY’S ART PRIZE

Being a finalist in Australia’s richest landscape art prize this year was an experience that I will always treasure. Since 2017, the prize has attracted artists from a variety of art disciplines from across the country. The location for the exhibition in Hadley’s Orient Hotel in Hobart is truly wonderful. The hotel has been fully restored to its former glory by owner Don Neal and his family, who also sponsor the main prize.

I have entered before, but without success. How could an artist working mainly in coloured pencils stand a chance against some of Australia’s top painters? Would the judges even consider coloured pencils as a worthwhile medium? I’m convinced that some don’t. Not to be deterred, I kept on entering, as I do with several annual major art awards. On this occasion I was successful. Joy, shock and amazement followed upon receiving the news. I was told by a friend to ‘enjoy the ride’. I did and my entry sold which was an added bonus!

My entry, “Ancient Light”, 103 x 82 cms, coloured pencils and ink on paper, came from my experiences following trips to the North East of Tasmania, along the Ralph’s Falls track below Mount Victoria.

This part of northeast Tasmania, not far from Mount Victoria, looks ancient, undisturbed, with the appearance of being in a time capsule. Every time I visit it looks the same. That’s why I return. Fallen timber and man ferns keep the landscape a prisoner from the rest of the world and that’s a good thing. If I’m there early enough, I’m greeted by a warm, reassuring golden light that lifts one’s spirits as well as those that dwell there.

I’m working on an entry for next year’s prize despite little chance of being a finalist again, but I’m up for the challenge!

Richard

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WAITING ROOM ART

Posted on July 4, 2025 by artkleko

As we get older, most of us spend time in various waiting rooms, usually associated with health issues. Often these places feature locally produced artworks that grace the walls and give us something to look at and can be a welcome distraction to playing with our phones. The standard of these artworks can vary immensely and they either attract our attention for a period of time, or receive a passing glance. I’ve seen some inspiring artwork and others that I would categorize as ‘terrible’. People waiting to see a health professional are often anxious, why then hang artwork that’s only going to increase their anxiety? Of course, there are waiting rooms devoid of anything creative. What does one look at to ease one’s anxiety?

Art has the potential to relax and calm, especially art that is appropriately chosen. 

I have examples of my artwork in our city’s (Launceston) major hospital and at a  doctors’ surgery and plans to feature a collection of recent work in a medical centre later this year.

I believe that art in a waiting room needs to be ‘curious’ as well as calming, as this a  ‘different’ audience than one would expect  in an art gallery. Artwork can be offered for sale, but it’s rarely sold. It’s more about a public service than a commercial venture.

Stones from Anniversary Bay, WIP. Coloured pencils and ink, 82 x 56 cms.

What examples of artwork should be found in a waiting room? Obviously, the art on display needs to be calming and engaging, not upsetting or alienating. Triggering one’s curiosity will go a long way to relieving stress and anxiety. How does one do that? A warm, bright colour palette can certainly uplift one’s spirits, but there is another way, one I call ‘Where’s Wally Art’. In book form, ‘Where’s Wally’ has long been a hit with children as they pour over the illustrations to find ‘Wally’ or other specific subjects. Adults like such challenges too!

I’m taking a different tack by creating seemingly ‘mundane’ drawings of objects such as beach stones, hundreds of them. The rational being that people will stare at such drawings for long enough to take their mind off their anxiety. They will ‘see’ things ‘hidden’ in the stones, or simply look for things that aren’t really there, but their imagination tells them other-wise.

I have included a photo of a drawing that I’m currently working on of beach stones from Anniversary Bay in North West Tasmania. Interestingly, I have found creating this particular drawing extremely therapeutic and hope its audience will feel the same. At 82 x 56 cms, it’s a reasonably large drawing, but I’m also considering one mush larger and more detailed to increase the ‘curiosity’ level.

Details from my current drawing of stones.

Hopefully, on this occasion, ‘mundane’ will prove to be an attention-grabbing artwork in an anxious environment.

Richard

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MARK-MAKING THERAPY

Posted on May 21, 2025 by artkleko

It starts with a dot, maybe a short line followed by a multitude of longer lines either straight, twisted or curvy. Dots may suddenly appear everywhere. It doesn’t matter of what you’re doing makes visual sense. This is about process; calm, letting go of all that’s around you and about you. It’s art therapy time, on this occasion with a pen or a pencil making marks for marks sake.

Most of the drawings I create are therapeutic, but not all. If you enjoy drawing, regardless of what you draw, then that’s a good thing with positive personal benefits. Such drawings more often than not, don’t require planning, they evolve. You draw what you like, when you like. It can be in colour, black & white, or both. I find that my most relaxing drawing are with  black pens or graphite pencils. Sometimes colour isn’t required probably due to the world being full of all sorts of colour combinations. Back and greyscale drawings when displayed alongside coloured artworks can draw the most attention because we see so much colour in galleries. Printmaking too, with its strong contrasts readily attracts attention.

But why just black mark-making? The secret lies in its simplicity; just varying widths of black on a white surface will suffice. An occasion to cut yourself off from the rest of the world and just ‘make marks’. Usually this involves us drawing something we like. Patterns, often repeated are great to draw for example. Maybe a memory, something your recently saw or something that you completely make up through random thoughts. It’s all valid.

Most of these drawings are done in diaries and are usually private. I have folders full of these drawings that I occasionally publish on social media. I’m thinking of publishing a print-on-demand coffee table book later this year. And what do I draw and consider my mark-making therapy? Would you believe sticks, stones and leaves?

About 40 years ago while staying at Lake St. Clair, Tasmania, I came across rows of these objects strewn along Frankland Beaches along the lake’s southern end. It was an amazing sight, so much so that I have produced a vast range of coloured pencil drawings (2 of which won major art wards) and many greyscale and at least 250 black line drawings. One from the latter is currently on my easel. Since those early days I have visited numerous other locations both in Tasmania and on the Australian mainland for inspiration, more often than not, in black and white. Some of my best work continues to come while watching TV. I admit that these drawings come from something ‘seen and known’, but they offer me a great deal of possibilities as you can see in the featured work.

This type of drawing would be seen as ‘doodling’ for some and maybe they’re right. For me it’s about creating variations on what I’ve seen but allowing me to add what I like. The whole process is truly relaxing. If you haven’t already tried it, I urge you to gab a pen and a piece of paper and start mark-making!

Richard

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COLOUR THERAPY

Posted on May 7, 2025 by artkleko

Art is about colour, line, shape, form, texture even sound. It can sit there, move, make noises and undertake tasks for our amusement. In this instance I’m mainly interested in colour for its visual impact, emotional response, memory recall and most importantly, its ability to heal. Remembering the details of our past can be overloaded with detail, much of which I doubt bares only part of what we’re actually trying to recall.  Colour on the other hand in such cases, can be a lot easier to remember. A single particular remembered colour has the power to unleash a tsunami of memories that can flood our senses (no pun intended). Whether good, bad or indifferent, colours represent the story of lives.

Dealing with darker moments can be difficult, even painful, while happier moments can be a real joy to recall. Colour adds mood, creates atmosphere and has the power to respond in a way that we often don’t expect.

When I’m feeling ‘flat’, I spend time at my studio desk or easel with one of the templates I’ve designed that have been an integral part of my colour therapy workshops for the past decade. I select a certain number of coloured pencils or paint pens and a particular colour palette and bring my templates ‘alive’.

My first featured template was created with a palette of 15 ‘joyful’ colours and is 18 cms sq.

Limiting yourself to a set number of colours is more liberating than one may think as it challenges you to carefully consider your response (and suitability) of each colour you have at hand in order to fulfil the task at hand. With over 100 coloured pencils staring at you, it demands very careful consideration!

All my templates may appear to be abstract, but actually they are sourced from my own landscape drawings. Some are rural such as aerial studies of the Tasmanian Midlands, others feature my ongoing series of ‘floating objects’. Forest floors also appear from time to time. Each workshop has its own particular templates.

Each template is printed on quality paper to ensure the best colour response. I supply high quality coloured pencils that guarantee a top result. The templates aren’t limited to pencils as the paper allows for paint pens, paint and felt pens. It’s simple, quality art materials will always encourage quality results!

What happens if you’re challenged to produce an artwork that contains equal amounts of ‘happy and sad’ colours? You may be surprised at the result. This workshop task has been the most successful of all the colour therapy workshops I have conducted over the past decade. In this case, 9 ‘happy’ and 9 ‘sad’ colours representing particular memories in one’s life, ‘confront’ each other for mediation and it works!

I’m currently editing my second colouring book, ‘Abstracts from Nature, Colour Therapy That Works’. Once it’s printed it will be available directly from me or over the counter at the Harmony On High Street Gallery in Campbell Town, Tasmania. I will post ordered copies locally and worldwide. The A4 size book will be printed on quality recycled 190 gsm paper that will handle both dry and wet mediums.

Have you tried mark marking as art therapy? I have and I will ‘tell all’ in my next blog post.

Richard

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WHAT’S WRONG WITH COLOURING IN?

Posted on April 8, 2025 by artkleko

Adult colouring books were a godsend during the Covid Pandemic. Millions were sold and although their influence has waned significantly today, there are still a number of books available featuring a wide range of designs and challenges. I fear many in the art establishment still treat these books with disdain. 

“Colouring in isn’t real art, it’s craft, something to do when you’re bored.”

In general, artworks require research, planning and testing before they become a reality. Many artists spend countless hours gathering and refining their ideas. It’s all about the process of creativity. But what about the spontaneous artists? They ‘just do it’. What’s wrong with that? Haven’t you done anything on the spur of the moment not just in art but in your daily lives? Does everything we do have to be mapped out or timetabled? Is total control of our thoughts, emotions and actions really such a good thing?

I’m not a fan of ‘paint by numbers’, but I’m sure it brings a lot of joy to many. Just adding the right colours according to the numbers isn’t mind-boggling, but there is a positive side. How we react to certain colours can be very therapeutic, a key element of art therapy. Colour has the power to recall past memories both good and bad, something I have personally recognised and have used in my coloured pencil art therapy classes over the past decade. The results have been amazing. Just to think that a bright blue can immediately take me back to when I was 7, joyfully riding my tricycle, or a blue/green can transport me into the lush Tasmanian rainforests. The power of colour is awesome! 

It is just as beneficial to face the negative times in our lives through colour and actually employ them in our artworks as I do in my colour therapy classes. Even when adding colours at random, there is some sense of ownership. We each choose colours for a reason, more often than not, a palette that we ‘like’, but when faced with the task of using a palette of equal numbers of ‘liked’ and ‘disliked’ colours, there is at first hesitation, followed by a steady increase in self-confidence. I have been fortunate to witness people successfully dealing with tragedy in their lives through colour.

One of my templates with a ‘feel good’ palette.

To find out how I conduct these classes (every class is different) I recommend you keep an eye out for my next colour therapy workshops. I am planning an online course and I’ll publish details in the coming months.

From time to time I will ‘colour’ one of my therapy templates. Sometimes I use a set number of coloured pencils chosen from a single set, or a ‘feel good’ group of pencils, even a ‘rural’ or a ‘rainforest’ palette. Ever tried looking away and grabbing a handful of pencils and colouring with them? Such challenges can be both fun and rewarding. Never be afraid of working spontaneously with colour!

A student’s interpretation from an art therapy class.

In 2015, I published my first Adult Colouring Book which was a reaction to the many, cheap books that were on the market at the time. The book has been very successful and is currently being sold at the Harmony On High Street Gallery in Campbell Town, Tasmania, or can be bought online through contacting me at artkleko@gmail.com  I have sold many copies overseas with excellent feedback. My second book, Abstracts From Nature, Art Therapy That Works!  is almost completed and will be available locally and online in a few months.

Page 1 from my colouring book, coloured and framed.

Despite what some may think, applying colours at random isn’t such a bad thing after all. Using colours that one identifies with will reveal one’s true personality and open the doors to future creative journeys.

Richard

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WHAT’S WRONG WITH ART?

Posted on March 31, 2025 by artkleko

Technology is developing at an increasingly faster rate than anyone could have ever imagined. Just think about what we have today compared to 25 years ago. Go back much further (like I can) and the difference makes one feel like saying ‘how did we ever cope’? But we did and did pretty well, too! People are great at adapting to what resources they have.

Art is no different. The quality and variety of art materials available today are the best they’ve ever been. I’m amazed at the variety and quality of coloured pencils one can buy, both locally and on the Internet. I’ve recently started using acrylic paint pens. Wow, what a joy to work with! The quality of oil and acrylic artists’ paints have never been better as is the situation with soft and oil pastels. Tutorials abound on the Internet as are the range of art workshops that one can find locally. Aren’t we lucky!

Not everyone though is happy. The rise of AI is already having a significant (and worrying for some) impact on both the media and art world. There is anger and fear from many who believe it will control the world of art before too long. Will it?

Whether we like it or not, we are basically a conservative society, one that doesn’t like change in any form. When change does happen, such as in politics for example, reactions can be mixed to say the least! The world of art is no exception. Take the Impressionist painters whose art was heavily criticised by the establishment as being vulgar, shapeless rough sketches, with overly bright colours and visible brush strokes. This was not the way academic painting was done! Well, excuse the Impressionist artists for being different!

Attitudes for being different haven’t really changed. We’ve always done it that way so why should we change? What we know is safer than the unknown. Fear of failure runs deep.

The development and use of digital technology especially over the past 30 years has had a profound impact on art; for some anyway. I’m part of the latter group who continues to enjoy the possibilities of digital technology, not in a big way, just enough to ensure that I have control over what I create. Maybe I’m a conservative rebel!

AI has certainly arrived with great fanfare along with great fear. What will its impact on Art be? Time will tell. Artists will no doubt use it in various ways and I suspect the results will see a major shift in thinking, but is that a bad thing? Is there room for such methods in the art world?

Artists create in various ways and they all result in artworks of some kind or another. There are those who work plein-air or solely in their studios, at different times of the day and night. Others work from their own photos or use copy-free images from the Internet, while others are spontaneous or feed off their own imagination. Then there are artists who trace their subjects using various devices. This method is frowned upon by some as are artists who employ digital technology in part or all of their artwork. 

We all have our own ways of ‘seeing and creating’, that’s what art should be about!

There’s nothing wrong with Art today, it’s all about our attitudes to change and innovation. Conservative thinking has no room for anything new. We can’t live in the past we must show tolerance to difference because the world we live in is changing rapidly. As long as the artist has control over their work in a least some step in its creation, new ideas and new technologies can be embraced and utilised. Don’t despair, we are in exciting times, just remember how the French Impressionists fared!

On a different note, I was very honoured to receive notice from Feedspot.com that my blog is ranked 4/20 of the top coloured pencil blogs worldwide. I haven’t been very active in the world or blogging of late, but it’s time that I was!

Keep enjoying your art, however and whichever way you create it!

Richard

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