“Some folks think I painted Lincoln from life, but I haven`t been around that long. Not quite.” – Norman Rockwell

I found this page from a book on Norman Rockwell.  I thought it to be a wonderful example of how to use reference and not be a slave to it.  Rockwell used reference like nobodies business.  In his early career he didn’t use photography.  He used live models in full costume set in the scene he would paint.  To anyone saying this was an easy way out hasn’t seen the extent to which Rockwell went to achieve his paintings.  I’ve seen as many as 30 painted studies for just one face in a composition.

One can see in the example above how he used reference to obtain a level of detail and realism that could not have been achieved drawing from his imagination.  Yet, there is a vast difference between his reference and his drawing.

The man was a wonderful talent but didn’t succeed because of it.  I believe his rise to iconic American Illustrator was due to his extraordinary devotion to craftsmanship and the quantity of time and effort he put into the work.

Yes, throughout my years as an artist I’ve found a valuable secret that is 85% of being a successful artist or as part of your quest to becoming an artist, period.  It’s not hard.  In fact, it’s one of the easiest and most simple things you can do but I find that many professional artist have this very problem.  It’s the number one thing you can do to get your work done.

JUST SHOW UP!

Yes, Mr. Monkeyman, you too have a great chance to be a great artist if you just plant your monkey butt at your drawing desk or easel.  All you have to do is show up at your drawing board.  I’ve got a hundred and one reasons why I can’t work on an oil painting tonight.  The garbage needs to go out, Mario can’t save the princess all by himself, the children need to eat, there’s a party at Fred’s house.  I’ve heard and used most of em’ but you can’t let them stop you from consistently working on your art.

Ok, I did stop to feed the kids.  Who can work with all that whining and “Daddy, we’re hungry” going on in the other room.  The older ones can fend for themselves but you have to at least throw a few packs of fruit snacks at the smaller ones.  (In the course of full disclosure I have only one one child and the wife makes sure he’s fed but I have thrown fruit snacks at him)

The point is that you have to make your art a priority.  Every day or as close to that as you can get.  I’ve found that if you “just show up” everything else will fall into place or it will at least have the opportunity to do so.  The hardest part really is just picking up the brush to start.  After that my art monster takes over and before I know it it’s 2:00 in the morning, I’ve got some cad red on my forehead, and I’ve still got to get up at 7 the next morning.  Yeah, you pay a price but look what you just created and if you’re anything like me, it’s all worth it.

Oh yea.  If you do throw fruit snacks at your young ones make sure to open them first.  They don’t have enough  coordination yet to open them and a toddler with a sealed pack of fruit snacks is much worse than one who is just hungry.

2009 is going to be a great year. I don’t care what all the talking heads on CNN and Fox News are saying, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Despite the economy, which does suck, and is having an effect on just about everyone, myself included, my ambition and attitude about my work has never been stronger. Necessity is the muther and I do mean “muther” of invention and a little financial incentive is going a long way.

Towards that end I’ve been working my butt off and very soon I’m going to be showcasing some brand new stuff. My best work yet. I’ve realized a number of things about myself and the way I work and so I’ve changed some of my process and habits. Things like proper reference, strong initial drawings, and all around more attention to all aspects of my prep work. Many things I skipped because I just couldn’t wait to get to painting.

All good improvements.

So, here’s to 2009.