about TEACHING / LEARNING WATERCOLOR FORUM
The objective of this forum is to reflect on the importance of teaching and learning watercolor for life. It is a place to share and highlight the vision of different schools and teaching strategies; to inspire teachers and motivate the creation of new educational institutions around the world.
Here we propose a debate about the evolution and meaning of teaching, both academic and traditional languages as well as alternative and disruptive ones.
It is a noble task to be able to transmit one's knowledge, one's perception of the world through pictorial art and especially watercolor.
ReplyDeleteBut too often and far too quickly we forget that there are rules in Art. Not necessarily artistic rules but natural laws which govern elements such as our medium, paper, colors and also and above all the hydrology of water; its behavior in brushes, on and in supports, etc.
Painting with watercolors requires as much knowledge and tecnical mastery, requires as much learning as any other art; music, sculpture, or any other activity such as foreign languages, mathematics or a particular sport.
The professor, the teacher must therefore be in total control of the TECHNIQUE of his Art. Not just the artistic mastery which is peculiar to him and which leads to his style. But also in the total analytical control of what happens when he executes. This in order to be able to explain it to his students and not just show it!
A real teacher is one who goes to the students, who puts himself at their level. One who is able to analyze very quickly what the student needs and give it to him to help him take one more step in his progress. So there must be a movement from the top (the teacher) to the bottom (the pupil) The teacher must be able to lower himself to help the pupil, to give him his hand to help him to rise a step from the level that is his.
Unfortunately I have observed for many years that the majority of teaching artists behave like artists and not teachers. They show how they paint and they do not explain the technical, "scientific" aspects of the hydrological phenomena involved.
They remain on their pedestal and ask the pupils to join them by painting like them.
It is up to the student to make the effort to come and paint like the "pseudo teacher" regardless of their level and the different levels to be crossed. The teacher does not come down to the student. It is up to the pupil to rise towards the master by imitating him.
You can't learn music by going to the concert all your life watching your favorite musician. You can, if you are already a musician, perceive its interpretation, understand certain nuances and adaptation, but you will not learn music. The same goes for lessons by demonstration and / or step-by-step work.
In short, an enormous amount of work remains to be done in training, motivating and persuading the Artist teachers to know how to remain Artist when he creates for them or when they make masterful demonstrations. But knowing how to change hats and take on the teacher's hat when they teach the art of watercolor.
The road is long but exciting and promising so much satisfaction.
Didier BROT