My new CGMA quarter started and I will need to use my desktop for the upcoming assignments. Since I've been writing code on my Linux laptop and doing art with real media, my computer desk turned into a makeshift repository for everything that didn't fit anywhere else in the room. As I was going through months of piled up paper, spare light bulbs and unused art supplies, I found a stack of post-it notes.
When I started training with Jonathan, I had to write everything down: my teacher uses very specific procedures and methods. As I was pushing past my limits, I was making notes so I wouldn't forget important things while being under stress. My notes were quite random, but they usually covered observations of my progress, helpful perspective on things that frustrate me in my training, and a bunch of art-related ideas.
I know I will eventually throw these notes out, so before it happens, I think I should put them here. They might help me in the future and maybe somebody else will find them helpful as well.
Some of these notes are quotes from books, some from movies some came out of my own head, it's a mess, so I apologize for not giving credit to the those who wrote the original text. If it's any consolation, you've helped me through some tough times and I'm eternally grateful to you for sharing your insight.
"2 values in the dark, 3 values in the light. Squint to 10% to establish relationships & shapes, not value or color."
"Simplify all area down to 5 values: black, dark, mid, bright, white. Simplify all edges down to 5 types: soft, medium-soft, medium, medium-hard, hard "
"Observe areas, not shapes. Pay attention to size and placement, not contour and position. Everything is always relative"
"Look for what's wrong, not for what's right. What you would do better."
"If I can learn to see opportunity as fast as I can see the faults of others, I will succeed in a very short time"
"Focus on large areas first, observe size and placement; Size and place correctly all negative space around focus area; Then place all the small shapes: positive and negative, within the large area. When small shapes click, they will adjust and define the shape of the large area, so don't waste time on completely defining the large area beforehand"
"'Creaturize' & 'letterize' large positive and negative spaces. Then do the same for small included shapes"
"27 to 30 days are required for body-mind re-adjustment and adaptation. Be patient, do not expect immediate results! Continuous work without skipping a single day during this period will trigger the desired change"
"
- Take your time with everything
- Relax into practice and routine
- Practice, focus & mileage are everything, speed and 'results' are nothing
- Art is a struggle, struggle between dual opposites is what brings a unified successful result
- Do not worry, doubt, or resent the struggle and frustration. It's a natural part of the process. Accept it for what it is, as it is not an indicator failure or success, nor does it define you
"
"my thoughts while reading Harold Speed:
1. technical excellence (copy + repetition)
2. Mighty appreciation of form (get inspired + analyze + interpret the feeling for each shape + repetition)
3. Understand and see it as an abstract shape"
"1. Negative space
2. Impression
3. Value relationship
4. Edge relationship
5. Keep tools sharp
6. squint at model"
"Always simplify shapes. squint!"
" 1. Draw 2. Check 3. Correct - always work in this order "
"Size it, place it, then see if it's not right"
"Pressure and time make diamonds"
This should do for now. I'll add a few more notes later.
