$10 to $50 dollars a week doesn't sound like much but that's what a lot of people were earning during the depression era. If I remember correctly, my dad was earning $30 dollars a week as a tool and die maker, which was actually a pretty good wage at the time. It only took a nickle to ride the bus and a postage stamp cost three cents. Then you could buy a new car for under $600.
Anyway, here's some of the advice I gave the art students.
I told the students that as an artist, your life will be one long growing and learning process. At 80 years old I am still growing and learning and enjoy every minute of it.
Also, while the computer is a fantastic art medium, it is not a magic machine. It's essential to have a good solid background in drawing and be experienced in the traditional art mediums before tackling the computer.
8 comments:
HARRY....Again, right on. What great, and creative, advice to give young aspiring artists. I see too many that don't know 'what's going on' in their field. It's essential....and it helps build motivation and interest. I recall all those 'Draw Me' ads for some correspondence school. I won one as a teen...didn't finish but profited from it.
A quote from one of your books has always stuck with me ever since I came across it in the early 80s.
You wrote "There is always room at the top" (At least I think it was yours, and I think it was in the book Drawing in Ink).
The "Heros" spelling in the brochure is a bit unsettling. It's been a long time that I've seen it spelled that way (instead of "Heroes").
I forgot to ask. Did you really save that ad from the 1930s?
Hi Charlie,
Thanks for your comments. You're right about motivation and interest, a lot of both is needed to be successful.
Harry
Hi Vince,
That quote was from my Art & Illustration Techniques book. "...there is always room at the top for fresh new talent."
You're right about the spelling of "heroes", artists are notoriously bad spellers.
Yes, I really did save that old ad from the '30's. Thanks for checking out my blog.
Harry
Hi Vince,
I decided to correct the spelling of "heroes", it only took a minute.
Harry
Harry, it still gives me pause that I am communicating with you.
It had never occurred to me that this was possible during the time I was studying your books 20 years ago.
I wish I saved my drawings back then, but your greatest influence on me was in ink drawing and gouache. The only other artist with as much influence on me was Paul Calle (pencil). Others whose work I tried to study were were Rudy de Reyna (his acrylics), Georg Shook (watercolor), Ferdinand Petrie (pencil)
(I don't claim to have much talent. I only claim that I enjoyed drawing and painting).
Also, I am surprised you were able to save ad clippings from many decades ago. You and Jean seem to have moved homes so many times.
Hi Vince,
I'm happy to communicate with you and will try to answer any questions you might have. I'm flattered to have been an influence on you and am pleased that you enjoyed my books.
My mother actually saved a lot of my very early art and I kept a lot of proofs and art in case I might write another instruction book. I also used some of this material to put in promo pieces that I would send to potential clients.
Harry
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