Should Art Schools Teach Drawing and Painting?
Should art schools teach the fundamental skills of drawing and painting from observation?
Seems obvious, right? But not everyone thinks so.
"Drawing from observation and nature and commonly from the life model has been actively discouraged,' says Andy Pankhurst, an artist who teaches at various institutions including the Royal Drawing School, which offers a 'skills-based' foundation course (life drawing is compulsory in the first two terms). While teaching at Slade during the early 00s, students told him they were no longer coming to his life drawing class because other tutors had told them if they did, they would turn into vegetables. 'They were being told that working from observation meant you had no concept or ideas, when nothing could be further from the truth.'"
King Lear, Act I, Scene I (1897-98) By Edwin Austin Abbey -
Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public Domain, Link
Some art teachers caution against a one-size-fits-all approach. The fundamental skills that artists need to succeed can vary a lot depending on the medium and the intent. For instance, a sculptor might prioritize three-dimensional form over perspective, while a digital artist may approach color differently than a traditional painter. Fundamental drawing and painting skills in digital and analog realms are very different.
Some contemporary programs have shifted toward emphasizing conceptual development, storytelling, and personal expression. People who doubt the value of traditional observational training argue that a rigid focus on technical skills can stifle creativity and discourage exploration of new ideas or media.
Quote from the Guardian: Should all art students learn to paint and draw?
