is it important for an artist to know how to draw?
Yes. I think it is. But sometimes I think maybe it’s not so important. In an age where artistic power is handed to us by the likes of Photoshop, Painter and Illustrator, I think a mind-blowingly good idea, composition and use of color may just compensate for the fact that someone who calls themselves an artist can’t draw. But that’s what the outcome has to be: mind-blowing. Otherwise, the use of visual arts software is just a lazy tool for those who skipped Drawing 101. Of course there are also the visual, audio, touch, taste-related manifestations of art which don’t necessarily focus on the ‘old-fashioned’ notion of transferring objects to paper, but I’m going to keep it simple. Is the ability to draw important anymore?
I think the ability to draw progressively manifests itself in other forms; not necessarily staying true to the literal, old-fashioned way of drawing realistically. I think it gives the artist a sensibility and sensitivity to proportions and composition even when the form/subject is distorted or abstract.
Eh..so is that a yes or a no?
Probably yes. I think it helps tremendously when artists (I’m mostly attributing this to painters) have a proper foundation in drawing, regardless of their style.
An excellent question and one I’ve thought about a lot. I’ve decided that drawing is important for me as practice for getting what’s “in here” “out there.” Rendering accurately isn’t necessary, but I think there’s something magical about the work of the human hand that no technology can match. It makes me feel good to look at your drawings, some kind of organic transference from your mind to mine. Electronic media produce beautiful things too, but . . . something’s missing.
Sara Virtually via Facebook: I think its important to have some sort of skillfull foundation, whether it is acquired through “proper” training or self-taught. I also believe part of that process of learning how to draw includes learning how you want to draw personally as an artist–in other words learning how to undermine what youve learnt is vital to an artists self growth IMHO. BUT,I have to say I strongly and passionately am against the idea that digital art is a tool of the unskilled and/or lazy. Like traditional art, some works can be appreciated more than others for the skills and sensibilities they portray, but digital art definitely benefits from learning how to “draw” in that medium as well. And not just for wacom paintings :)