Recent emails asking for advice prompted me to give further thought to the business of giving advice. Believe me, I'm deeply honoured when people trust me with a half dozen jpegs and the question, "What do you think?" Further, it's exciting to know that some subscribers are getting valuable advice from other subscribers.
As noted by "Buttonwood" in The Economist magazine, "If you ask enough people you will eventually find someone who will tell you what you want to hear." Recent studies show investment gurus make big bucks telling investors what stocks to buy, sell and hold. I've always suspected that these advisors make more dough by advising than by investing. We artists often give advice for free.
Because of the unpredictable nature of life, humans may be hard-wired to ask for advice. A few others may be hard-wired to give it. Some psychologists think the main benefit of getting advice is to avoid personal regret--if someone's advice is bad or disappointing, it's their fault, not yours.
Funnily, many advice-seekers already know the answer to their questions. They just want to hear it from someone else. But they also know that experienced eyes can often see faults and weaknesses and may be in a position to suggest fixes. I advise advice-givers to follow the advice of the Roman lyric poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus, generally know as Horace: "Whatever advice you give, be brief."
1. "Your work is interesting." You're safe here because all work, even bad work, is interesting.
2. "This part is excellent." There's always a good part in any painting, and this observation relaxes the receiver and permits you to home in on what you think they need to know.
3. Now comes the part where you need to be of optimum value to the asker. Try to figure out the one main thing you think might truly be of use to them. It may be about composition, drawing, colour or whatever. Try to make your advice specific, illuminating and memorable. Don't confuse people with lesser concerns.
For what it's worth, that's my system. For the record, it would be great to hear your advice on the delicate art of advising.
Best regards,
Robert
Esoterica: I often think the best advice is what I call "Osmotic advice." This is where casual remarks (particularly in workshops) are overheard and inadvertently soaked up. It helps if the remarks were intended for someone else, but in your private wisdom you secretly know it was intended for you. Here's an example from the great workshopper Tony van Hasselt: "The 's' curve can be found in the human form, in animals, plants, flowers, in anything alive. Keep the straight lines for structures, created from 'dead' materials." You can take that sort of raw gold into your studio and forge with it. Tens of thousands of specific gems like this one can be found in our
The Art Show Calendar: If you or your group has a show coming up, put an illustrated announcement on The Painter's Keys site. The longer it's up, the more people will see it. Your announcement will be shown until the last day of your show.
The Workshop Calendar: Here is a selection of workshops and seminars laid out in chronological order that will stimulate, teach, mentor, take you to foreign lands or just down the street. Many of these workshops are recommended by Robert and friends. Incidentally, if you are planning a workshop and have photos of happy people working, feel free to send them to us and we'll include a selection in the workshops feature at no extra charge.
The Painter's Post: Every day new material is going into this feature. Links to art info, ideas, inspiration and all kinds of creative fun can be found in this online arts aggregator.
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