The Seven Secrets of Art
Philip Koch, High Trees, oil on panel, 28 x 21" 2015. To be included in the Burchfield Penney Art Center's Live Auction at their annual Gala Sept. 19, 2015 I like to make lists. Here are some bullet points I sometimes give out to my students. As you can see I failed badly at keeping the list down to just seven ideas. The 7 Secrets of Art, and a few more . Philip Koch Secret #1. That there are Secrets. #2. That there are in fact rules (though they can be elusive to understand). #3. Tones (darks and lights) are more important than color. #4. Shapes are more important than color. #5. Silhouettes are more important than details. #6. Intervals of empty space are more important than forms. #7. Craftmanship is always in style. #8. The problem with ones work-in-progress usually isn't where one thinks it is. #9. Art is not an idea but a vision. #10. Art is the marriage of the skeptic and