Lost Art

I was talking to an art and design instructor this weekend.  He teaches computer design with programs like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.  His observation is that most of his design students don't know how to draw.  They let the computer do it for them.  He was saying that he refused to let them get away with this and required drawing for a passing grade.  But my observation is that drawing is fast becoming a "lost art" (pun intended).  It takes time and skill, effort and patience: things which we are sorely lacking in this country.  In a world of fast food and microwave ovens, who takes the time to draw when you have cameras... and not just cameras but digital cameras that instantly download to a computer any image you want to tweek.  With this kind of technology, drawing is as antiquated as a marker is to a quill. 

But there is something to be said for the old ways.  Observation is more than just snapping a photo of the image or scene in front of you... it is also capturing the feeling, the essence, the spirit of the moment... something cameras don't always do.  There is something very spiritual about using pen and ink, dipping the nib into the ink, scratching on the paper and dipping it in again.  If you've never tried it you are missing out.

My encouragement to all my artist friends is to keep a tablet and pencil in your car, maybe under the seat.  Pull it out and exercise those drawing muscles before they atrophy altogether. Drawing doesn't just exercise the hand muscles but also retrains your eye to see beyond the surface.  It is aerobics for the healthy artist's spirit.  Try it.  You will be stronger for it.