The Theme of Harmony as it Relates to the Study of Art and Dance by Susan Milicia
For the past 4 years I have had the privilege to study classical realism art under the expert instruction of fine artist Rebecca Tait at the Studio at Glen Gables in Laurel Springs, NJ. Visual art, like dancing, is not only a product of learned technique but also that of self-expression. To create a harmonious work of art, visually pleasing to the eye and expressive of the inner message the artist wishes to convey requires first and foremost an execution of basic rules and techniques. First, an artist must have good drawing skills, keeping the shape of the object and its setting in proper form and perspective. Next comes adding in where light and shadow fall and then shading in all areas to the proper value. No matter what the medium chosen: graphite pencil, colored pencil, watercolor or oil painting, one must have the basics done right before refining and adding detail. To layer paint on a poorly drawn subject, no matter how beautiful the colors, will not produce a pleasing picture. To understand how important basics are can be seen in the painting below. This piece can stand as a finished work of art even without full color development and the addition of detail.
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For the past 4 years I have had the privilege to study classical realism art under the expert instruction of fine artist Rebecca Tait at the Studio at Glen Gables in Laurel Springs, NJ. Visual art, like dancing, is not only a product of learned technique but also that of self-expression. To create a harmonious work of art, visually pleasing to the eye and expressive of the inner message the artist wishes to convey requires first and foremost an execution of basic rules and techniques. First, an artist must have good drawing skills, keeping the shape of the object and its setting in proper form and perspective. Next comes adding in where light and shadow fall and then shading in all areas to the proper value. No matter what the medium chosen: graphite pencil, colored pencil, watercolor or oil painting, one must have the basics done right before refining and adding detail. To layer paint on a poorly drawn subject, no matter how beautiful the colors, will not produce a pleasing picture. To understand how important basics are can be seen in the painting below. This piece can stand as a finished work of art even without full color development and the addition of detail.
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Grisaille stage; Mims Studios atelier, NC, student copy after Jacques-Louis David' "Patroclus"
The lessons I learned in art class relate to my dance training in a similar way in which getting the basics correct are also important. My husband Anthony and I are now in our third year here at Universal, taking both group and private lessons. Our goals are to be proficient social dancers in the bronze level, to dance well together and with others. By knowing the basic figures and how to execute them properly we can then add “color” to our foundation dancing by refining our footwork, incorporating upper body movement and dance with feeling and expression by connecting with the rhythm of the music. To bring all this to a harmonious blend will take time and effort so I guess you can say we are a “work in progress”!
(The photo reference is from the Wikimedia Commons and is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art.)
The lessons I learned in art class relate to my dance training in a similar way in which getting the basics correct are also important. My husband Anthony and I are now in our third year here at Universal, taking both group and private lessons. Our goals are to be proficient social dancers in the bronze level, to dance well together and with others. By knowing the basic figures and how to execute them properly we can then add “color” to our foundation dancing by refining our footwork, incorporating upper body movement and dance with feeling and expression by connecting with the rhythm of the music. To bring all this to a harmonious blend will take time and effort so I guess you can say we are a “work in progress”!
(The photo reference is from the Wikimedia Commons and is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art.)