Developing Curiosity of Vision: For Artists and Art Lovers

This week I wanted to talk about developing your curiosity of vision as an artist. Next week we will go back to doing painting demos - I've got the canvas on the easel ready to go. But first, we have to creative authenticity... Or the desire to make paintings like those in the juried shows.
I say this to myself as well: Do we have the courage to find something personal or engaging to share with the world?
Skills are important. Skills rest on structure of composition. But beneath that is creative authenticity or curiosity of vision.
What is it you want to say? What do you do as an artist? What do you want to share with us? Because that is the interesting part! That is engaging!
That seems to be the point of making art. Like creating a journal or even a diary. You need curiosity, vision, and courage to dig for it. But that is what we are all interested in seeing from you.
I highlight some artists that share some quirky, personal stuff in representation paintings to spark some ideas of what engages you! We don't want to always make stuff the way art is "supposed" to look, but rather, we want to make art that is personal and unique to you.
Here is the list of the artists I talk about this week: Eileen Hogan, Len Chmiel, Fairfield Porter, Gustav Klimt, Andrew Wyeth, Richard Diebenkorn, Stanley Spencer, Claes Oldenburg, Michael Borremans.
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[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Have you got some avenue of new work that you are itching to give expression to?

[@Cate--007]

YES!! Thank you Ian. This is my biggest struggle w/art. Once we are fairly skilled and accurate, it becomes boring to just “copy” anymore, yet it takes a frustratingly high level of confidence and courage to overcome perfectionism and let go into that messy vital creativity where the poetry lies.....

[@carolepivarnik9316]

OMG so well said. I’ve recently let go of that perfectionism and stopped worrying about what others might think, and started working in a messy serendipitous way with lots of water and water-based/soluble mediums focused on color color color. It’s been very freeing and painting is full of joy for me again.

[@Cate--007]

@@carolepivarnik9316 wonderful to hear!! Sadly, I often need a glass of wine or some tequila to get the messy creative vitality flowing...lol

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Well bingo! You said it! For us all!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Scotch works too.

[@carolepivarnik9316]

@@Cate--007 I love to drink wine and have the music on loud when I paint!!! Triple happy place!

[@BibleStudyPastor]

I love your phrase, "Curiosity of vision." I just painted a rocky cliff just east of Donner Summit because I was attracted to the early morning light touching the rocks. And a group of saturated carmine-color tomatoes connected by a tortured green vine. I guess that IS curiosity of vision. :-) Thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I used to live in Soda Springs and painted all through that area. Glad you enjoyed it Ralph. Best wishes, Ian.

[@karenmccallum8375]

I love that you focussed on what we paint rather than technique this week. So true that anything we look can be a painting & the trick is to show how we as artists see that. Curiosity is such a great word to describe the lens through which we view our beautiful, messy world. Thanks Ian.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it Karen. And I appreciate your letting me know. All the best, Ian.

[@DebNicolaisenArtist]

This is incredible! I am so glad I stumbled onto your KZbin Channel!!! I am watching all of them while I paint. Some of them twice or more. You are talking about the subjects I have been searching for! A million thank you's for sharing!!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Catwoman1464]

I love nature and want to show others the beauty of it, the vastness and richness

[@susanmalfa2899]

Your discussion on "what catches your attention" and curiosity was spot on and inspiration as were the art examples. Thank you.

[@karencase8495]

Thank you Ian. Another piece of the puzzle for me, or step I should say, in my journey. Accumulating a better sense of design and structure in my composition, adding the fundamentals . . . and wanting to find my connections to the bits of the world that draw me in - and develop that curiosity, and courage, to express my own personal vision. This is great!

[@analivingston7590]

Hello Ian, welcome back...thank you for showing those paintings, I adore Klimt , they are all very intriguing, and as you say to know what one is looking for... to paint... often challenging. Thank you very much .

[@wcrane2315]

Absolutely LOVE this post! Gets me very excited!

[@dorenabellepetty2177]

Thank you so much for touching on this!! I've been studying techniques and working on skills so much and this has reminded me to focus on my 'curiosity of vision' just as much. You have given me permission to explore my quirky ideas!! Thank you !!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Well not always but I think often we are interested in your quirky views of things. And as you say if you don't keep thinking and leaning into it you will eventually have all the skills you need and no where to go. Glad you enjoyed the video. Best wishes.

[@debbygregorash7691]

Thank you. I am in love with my Aspen forest so that is what I paint. There are so many interesting things that catch my eye every day that others don't see unless I stop and point them out.

[@Argyll9846]

Really enjoyed seeing the work of these artists and how they see what's around them.

[@lisengel2498]

Curiosity of vision - what do YOU want to share - thats the guidence from the heart I think - great concept great question

[@sabihashaikh6180]

Thank you.that was thought provoking.So many day to day scenes which deserve being painted but we walk around with blinkers.Once I get to be reasonably good should indulge in recreating them I guess.that was inspiring.

[@lisengel2498]

So true and the very Best advice everything can be seen fresh - not just for our art but for life -- Thank you for sharing the artists. I was really impressed with the bluebell painting of Eileen Hoogan and her simple subject of painting gardens ( I am very much attracted to that) - and just your whole inspiration on this very important perspective of being present and really curious.🌺🌷❤️

[@regentjohnson4560]

As always, loved your presentation 👏 👌 👍 thanks.

[@heathercrellin9200]

Please do more like this. I really enjoy getting introduced to new artist. Such a treat. Also love your work. Such a treat to follow along every week.

[@cindysullivan2509]

This was a really important topic for me. Thank you for sharing. I adore Fairfield Porter.

[@jamesb2059]

Excellent. You express a complex idea very eloquently.

[@briantownsley2718]

I think that's what I try to strive for in my work is something captivating , something no one has seen before and captures the viewers interest. It's being able to pull it off that's the hard part, just doing it well. I'm not really interested in being in a juried show. my reward is when someone sees it and says "I love that".!!

[@sharonmatheson5948]

I liked this very much. I got your book Creative Authenticity and I have fairly recently stopped painting for the audience and started painting my vision. It is so freeing to do so .

[@gregwing6409]

Very thought provoking and engaging! Cheers-Greg

[@skidfrog]

ahhhh.....Fairfield Porter.....I tried painting for a few months with just 7 Home Depot latex wall paint colours just to see what working within a limited tonal / saturation range might do for my eyes !......it really forces you to cook faster because it dries so fast too. I remember one of Porters....a red building with a car parked ....a long white mobile home beyond.........a few shapes and colours / genius simplicity . His one of the white house and dark sky with a field of wheat is epic ! I remember one of Andrew Wyeths portraits of a cow......it has a splatter of mud across it because the cow moved and kicked while the farmer was holding it ; he left the mud splatter as part of the moment hahaha

[@marieczm5970]

Ian Roberts' Creative Authenticity is a must-read! The best book I have read in a while and a book I will go back to again and again

[@paintlady2268]

True! My copy has so many dog-eared pages, and each time I go through it I find more gems. Things speak to you when you're ready to listen. No, not listen. When you're ready to hear it.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Well to you both, thank you!

[@silentwitness9255]

It is helpful to see subtlety validated, thank you

[@evandegenfelder4554]

You know Ian, I was always drawn to figures, from the very first life drawing class in college--long ago. (ca.1970!). What I found over the years is that most people, depending on where you live, urban vs suburban, aren't interested that much in figures, nudes. Yet, I've kept painting them. There's something about the figure/face that continues to intrigue me, something lyrical, almost musical. So I've spent decades painting them in oil, acrylic, pastel, graphite, you name it. I have to say that since stumbling onto your channel I've gotten a whole new appreciation for landscapes and have begun exploring them too, so thank you.

[@anniepais700]

I teach composition as visual storytelling...so thanks for this!

[@helenprice2467]

My new project is about patterns. It is 50x50 canvas and the first layer is golden acrylic circles with the 2nd layer pieces of dress pattern papers done with gesso. The pattern papers have directional lines and circles, so the "Pattern" started on its own. The third is a paper doll cutout in various sizes floating upwards seemingly with balloons. It will be a happy piece when it is completed, and that is what I want to convey. Lightheartedness of a soul. :-)

[@sannefridolin]

Very interesting! I often photograph little things on the street that I find interesting, like flowers growing in the cracks of aspalt, but then I think: “oh who would like that?” So it’s the internal critic already at work, before I start. Your video inspires me to listen to my first instinct!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Learning the skills to give expression to what we want to express is fundamental but your point here is what we then are pushing against all the time. I am constantly having that same dialogue.

[@vallektz]

One of your best videos so far.......truely skills are valuable and honing them important, but vision goes beyond all that and lifts our paintings to another place. The change from reproducing to creating art. Well done, Thank you

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it and found it insightful. We all need to be reminded of this one I think.

[@eddiepalmer5740]

You make me realise that I really need to THINK about what art is, and what I want to accomplish with my artistic endeavors.

[@solea59]

Your videos are very inspiring Ian. I'm going to get my stuff out that's been gathering cobwebs. Many thanks for the push !

[@daviller74]

And here I thought I was just picking strange things to paint. Thank you Ian, once again for helping provide direction for those of us working to understand what painting means to us. I've been working on a series of not quite minimalist, almost impressionist, landscapes, usually where the water meets the sky, often with fog and marsh and calm waters. I find the scenes so peaceful and serene and I just love to look at them once they are complete.

[@gaylemartin6498]

Ian, I really enjoyed this video. Makes me want to pick up and read your book again. I think discovery one's vision is the most difficult thing. Thank you.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

It's a funny point in a way isn't it saying finding our own voice is the most difficult thing. I don't disagree but it's weird how something so close can be so hard to find.

[@GTanner]

Wow great explanation for finding vision.

[@GrandmaMuggy]

Wow, this has really got me thinking. What am I showing in my work? Am I so hung up in “is it good or will someone like it” that I’m really not moving forward and painting what I really want.what is my vision. Maybe I don’t know.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You put that in an interesting way because I am still doing it myself. What is it to really express true courageous expression. It is an ongoing process that is for sure. You may not know, but you know the general direction and I think that is all we can know. Push, or lean into that direction. If it warms up you're on the right track.

[@jayryan2433]

Thanks Ian, very useful for getting me thinking about what I am doing. Hope you do more like this. Maybe talk about your process to determine the mood, key, theme of a painting before you start it and how that influences the composition.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Jay, that's a good idea - going through the process of choice before starting. I'll do that. Thank you.

[@smasica]

Thank you Ian. Motivational and instructive. Self-reflection is useful to figure out why we do what we do and where we want to go with it.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks for letting me know you found the video engaging and helpful. Best wishes, Ian

[@judyfranklin9577]

Thank you lan your videos you are forcing me to move forward and try new ways of painting

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are welcome Judy. Best wishes, Ian.

[@darleenenelson2606]

Absolutely appreciate your questions about "what is it that engages the artist vision". A lot for me to think about.

[@tompierce7613]

Thank you, Ian! I've been thinking lately about how much easier it was to find my personal vision back when I first started painting. I didn't have the skills, but had some great ideas. It seems so much harder now, to bring that 'curiosity of vision' back into my work. So, I am again re-reading and enjoying Creative Authenticity. Thanks again. Hope you and yours are all well and safe.

[@liesesadler5295]

Tom Pierce yes, I find that too. .

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Tom, as I said in a comment above this is the one that we never can just assume is all set because it is the exploration of unknowns out ahead of us that keeps the whole enterprise alive. Glad you are enjoying Creative Authenticity. All the best, Ian.

[@sylvainst-pierre8725]

Interesting indeed sir. Thank you.

[@whitecharcoal7248]

Great 👍 art lessons I ever heard from your videos thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏

[@Susancarolart]

I have followed your work for years. I have always found your videos helpful. But I absolutely love this one. Thank you.

[@1miltond]

Brilliant is not a easy task but definitely the way to create and true required courage to break of from fear to expose your work and copy other's and become you bringing the personal expression of your fillings like the lirics of a song using the skills on a personal way it doesn't matter what it is or look the important is to communicate your vision and curiosity

[@giovannisiano574]

Extremely interesting statement. It's the base of why are we here watching your video!

[@lisengel2498]

The bluebell series were just wonderfull - and the plastic fence - amazing and really beautifull 💙

[@yenhoff22]

Amazing works!

[@shankardasgupta9890]

informative, insiteful and encouraging

[@Silverpintoo]

Thank you for this. I’m seeing this at just the perfect moment in my art journey. 👍🏼

[@orlane219]

Inspiring and helpful !When we are busy learning the skills, we forget to take the time to listen to our inner voice. Or what you call the curiosity of vision: yes, it takes courage, hard work and time to dig for it. When I started to paint I had this fresh approach and then I learned and practiced the skills, and the freshness is difficult to find. Thank you, Ian, for reminding us this crucial point with so inspiring examples.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Well I'm talking to myself as well on this one. I don't think we can ever take for granted that our vision or voice is so strong and clear we can assume it is leading the show. Glad you liked the video.

[@carolepivarnik9316]

I loved this video, and it was especially meaningful as in recent months my own painting has evolved in happy ways that have brought the joy back to the process and the feeling I’m finally “saying” something with my work. It’s so fun!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That is great Carole. I mean why paint if it isn't bringing you joy. Well actually I can think of several, but then a period falls into place like you are having now and it all makes sense. Or at least enough sense.

[@carolepivarnik9316]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition One big difference now is I've stopped taking portrait commissions so I'm painting only for myself without a care whether anyone has to like the results or not. That is incredibly freeing.

[@sarahhill3073]

I’ve been looking in all the wrong places for my style! It’s right there in front of me; it’s what I find arresting and interesting. My sister keeps telling me she can tell it’s my work but I kept seeing traditional techniques and boring use of materials. Thankyou Thankyou 😊

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are welcome Sarah.

[@SingYourselfWell]

Love this.

[@lisarowberry6988]

Yes!

[@JimMichels]

Yes, Michael Borremans is brilliant. He has his atelier her in Antwerp 🙂

[@christinerothmuller2597]

Wow , beautifully choosen ! and Yes , curiosity and courage to bring our personal vision . Thank you Ian !

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are welcome Christine. Thanks so much.

[@mildredborras6696]

All your videos are incredibly helpful. Thanks for sharing

[@maggieinsc1967]

Really enjoying these. Something to think about.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Great.

[@jamesg2382]

Thank you Ian. Much appreciated. Great examples

[@argeancomics3291]

Len Chmiel. Amazing his rough brush strokes. Fairfield Porter reminded me Hopper. Wyeth, well, i saw a documentary about his work and life. He painted in tempera, and absurdly difficult technique from renaissence. Yet, he masterized and and made almost impossible works even old masters would applaud. Nice suggestions, this artists. Do you know Marc Bohne? He is a genius of composition, color and landscape paintings. I remember you saying in your book Creative Autenticity about the difficult of constantly produce beauty. Marc Bohne does. In everywork. I dont know how, but he does. Sigh! So much to paint, so much to learn, so little time.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I do know Marc's work and agree with you. Although probably I would guess he has lots that aren't as good as the ones you see. He is curating his own work. Editing. And agree with you about so much to learn and paint. Never ends.

[@argeancomics3291]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition When you say Marc probably has lots of works not good enough make my days of struggle more acceptable. Have a nice week.

[@daledibello3450]

Thought provoking and very inspiring! Thanks Ian.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Dale. I'm glad you enjoyed it and thought provoking and inspiring I like. Best wishes, Ian

[@ronniecremers2354]

As much as I try, I always get back to realism. Just finishing a Waterwheel, maybe I just should have blown up the photo!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

One question you can ask yourself (and it may not immediately be apparent what I mean) but it sounds like your photo reference in this case the water wheel is subject driven. Meaning you cannot let any part of it fail (perspective of the wheel in space, the careful delineation of the distance between the paddles, etc) force you to hold tight to realism, or the image will fail. A more design driven image allows you more freedom in that you are painting color masses and then is the foundation of the painting. Then there EXACT placement most of the time will not derail your painting.

[@nancymorgan5596]

Love this video

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Great Nancy. Thanks for letting me know.

[@analivingston7590]

Thank you Ian.... I found this video very interesting and and extremely useful indeed. When I paint my flowers, I have to find one that is a bit different and then work within With the shadows and shapes trying to find some sort of mistery.... Thank you again

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Ana, I find that with most florals. All the flowers are presented equally. As you suggest, some need to pull our attention and some need to half lit at the back of the stage. All the best

[@liesesadler5295]

I have finally succumbed to Instagram (resisted because of the evil empire of Face Book), and it has helped me find innovative artists but this talk really, short as it is, is an inspirational kick in the pants. I sincerely hope you want to talk about this area of making art and art you find intriguing frequently!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm seeing a pattern of demonstrations and the deeper nuts and bolts of why we're making art. Two great topics. Just out of interest do you know my book Creative Authenticity because that is what the whole book focuses on. Delighted you enjoyed the video.

[@ImeldaFagin]

I paint and draw for myself although I do share it with friends and family. But me first.

[@joanistotler8804]

MORE, Ian!!! Wonderful - still searching!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Joani, delighted you enjoyed it. Still searching - that's it I think.

[@carolinemorgan-grenville6115]

Brilliant.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thank you Caroline.

[@mbegonasastre6938]

Thank you

[@rolisonpaint3]

Thank you. so much for these examples.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

You are welcome Loretta. Glad you liked them.

[@paintlady2268]

Yes, yes, yes! Is this, following our curiosity, not when we really begin painting for ourselves?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I often wonder when we hit that place of painting for ourselves, deeply, vulnerably, that we don't at the same time begin painting for a real and broad audience.

[@paintlady2268]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Agreed, in the sense of who we are, what we are putting into it, intentions, motivations and feelings about the subject/scene become more evident, maybe even nearly tangible to the viewer if we're fortunate, evoking some reaction. A connection. Not simply 'look at what it see,' but 'look at what I feel about what I see'. Well, at least that is what I aspire to. Powerful stuff, that.

[@rsbagley3451]

Great examples and food for thought.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks Ramona.

[@timhorn1141]

Great stuff!!! Thanks for sharing Ian!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Tim. Great to hear from you. Wishing you all the best, Ian.

[@patjeffers9431]

Loved this Ian. Thank you!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you liked it Pat and thanks for letting me know. Best wishes, Ian.

[@philtootell9871]

The English Royal Academician Ken Howard says “ when you paint show you’ve noticed something” cheers Phil Londom

[@lisengel2498]

And if possible I would have loved to see the names of the artists written ( can be difficult to catch and spell correctly just from listening)

[@screeningmimi]

It's not always accurate, but if you click the CC for subtitles/closed captions, the names are listed.

[@lisengel2498]

Thank you for the tip clicking cc

[@williamrasoanaivo5381]

Hi, could you add numbers on your videos? As a late comer, I am interested to see the "last week" videos but I struggle to find them. Thank you and keep it up.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I think there is a setting in the top right that allows you to sort by date.

[@williamrasoanaivo5381]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Thank you for your reply Ian. You're very generous. I hit the "i" on the top right and it indeed displayed few small screens but they weren't sorted out by date. Nevermind, I will sort it out from the date on the botton left.

[@irenebouillon1562]

Dommage que cela soit en anglais car je n'ai appris qu'à l'école et il y a de très nombreuses années merci quand même Irène

[@elsagrace3893]

Is this why I cannot take a photo of a scene and bring it inside to paint it? Every time I try, the photo looks nothing like what I was seeing at the scene. Not even going to try again.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

My experience is the photo has to ignite something on its own. Not that it reignites the memory of the moment you took it. That moment is gone. But the photo, just as it is now might ignite a new response. That is what I find anyway.

[@deniseewert6372]

❤️🇩🇪👋

[@sadiart1809]

*1 Day or Day 1 You Decide=Happy 2021*

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Best wishes for 2021.