The probably most precious advice of the entire Ars Poetica.

In spite of being true, this statement is nevertheless also very misleading, as ill conceived attempts to acquire technical skills are very contra-productive in regard of inspiration.

Many procedures designed to acquire skills fit neither the purpose nor the goal.

Neither perfectionism nor elitism is very helpful to create a modest painting or to write a little song. A better idea than to learn to play a sonata may be to compose one.

To develop and balance creativity and technical skills as well as to set an artistic goal is an area full of potential personal and cultural conflicts.

In respect to the adviser, the novice in art should feel to be welcome, and in respect to the novice the adviser should feel comfortable with her/his goals.

For artists of our time the world presents open. Access to information is easy, art to challenge and sharpen the view plentifully available. Improved social conditions such as increased life-expectancy facilitate to acquire knowledge and ideas to mature.

"Lack of knowledge and technique are frequent reasons for lack of inspiration." (Tschung-ch’ien)

Everybody should be encourage to become involved in art, to evaluate the many and various ways of active and passive participation, such as writing, singing in a chorus, visiting expositions and others, to enrich one’s personal life, to participate in the likely most fruitful way of meditation.

A suitable mean to balance creativity and technical skills may present the triad:

“To sketch freely out of the mind using e.g. color pencils, to improve already established texts e.g. by shorten them down to the essential, and to play on the piano rhythms and melodies within the span of the fingers of the hand.”

Neither of this activities requests any special skills to start with - they are similar to a workout at the gym - , but all of them are very supportive for their acquirement, highly enjoyable and inspiring. In addition one will realize that one has indeed, very specific ways of acting and learning, specific talents and shortcomings, that many seemingly difficult problems are rather easy to overcome, and finally that this kind of exercises gently enlarges the artistic base.

Easy to agree upon, it is nevertheless surprising to see that many artists appear to lack clear definable goals, appear as process addicted, hunting illusions, etc.

Difficulties in regard of the artistic expression may arise from personal or social circumstances.

For the advanced artists a critical question is: "What to learn next ?"

Whereas special talent is generally the way to success, neglect or lack of talent in other areas a hindering factor. "How to enlarge the base" and "reshape of focus and views" appear as the two areas of most need of attention.

For artists of our time the world presents open. Access to information is easy, art to challenge and sharpen the view plentifully available. Improved social conditions such as increased life-expectancy facilitate to acquire knowledge and offer more time for ideas to mature.

Much insight in the creation of art - as well as in the function of the mind -

is provided in modern biographies, many of them allowing in addition a free up-date on history, too.

Everybody should be encourage to become involved in art, to evaluate the many various ways of active and passive participation, such as writing, singing in a chorus, visiting expositions and others, to enrich one’s personal life, to participate in the likely most fruitful way of meditation.

First choice as a guide to the creation of art is probably still the Ars Poetica (Web : Ars Poetica    [Latin version]) of Horace, written 2000 years ago. It presents the only outlay in the western hemisphere created by a well recognized artist with the clearly expressed intent.

The creation of art presents frequently as a continuous and painful struggle, with phases of illumination such as described by Tschung-ch’ien being rather rare:

The moment of inspiration comes by itself, and brushes away all doubts and
hesitancies. Like an arrow shooting out from the bowstring, it cannot be
stopped; it is unfathomable, like rumbling thunder coming from the earth.
One has no idea where it comes from, when it starts nor whither it goes. It
becomes just at the exact moment, not a second sooner or later. When this
inspiration comes at the moment of painting, a true master piece is born. It
cannot be repeated by doubled effort, it simply eludes it. For the effort to
recapture that moment is born of man, not of heaven. Only those possessed
of the natural expansive spirit have more such moments; they can shut out
the mental effort and let themselves go soaring in freedom to wherever the
spirit may carry them. There is a co-operation of human skill and natural
gift, and the work is done easily, without planning and design, not
comparable with anything done planning and design. .... When the artist is
turning ideas over in his mind and about to paint, he feels an awakening
desire in his hand and in his mind to let go. This is the moment when
inspiration comes. Obey the impulse and it will come out and grow and
develop. The heart is seized with passion and the beautiful lines come from
his pen, flow out from his hand ('wrist'), as if he is guided by a
mysterious force. The tip of the brush catches and records every exquisite
impulse. It is something that never occurred before, nor it is likely to
occur again. At this conjunction, of the artist's pen and mind, both assist
each other, respond to each other. The artist himself does not know how this
happens. This can only happen to artist with talent and skill. Those not so
gifted with talent or without sufficient previous training must rely on upon
a plan and design, and will never experience such moments in their lives.
First they lack force of movement because of their inability to draw quickly
and then they can not draw quickly because of their lack of force of
movement.

There is one word which may describe the perfect state of mind of the artist
at work :'ease'. Eases suggests the easy mastery and absence of difficulties
and of effort.... Beauty emerges where the brush touches the paper. .. This
comes from daily occupation with the heart and the mind and with actual
practice, and then when the moment of beauty comes, the artist can trace it
on paper naturally and without to much thinking.

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