Role of observation in an artist’s life

What does observation mean in art?

Observation is different from simply looking at something. A keen sense of observation distinguishes those who truly engage with their surroundings from those who merely glance at them. Looking at things does not mean one is observant about them. By looking at a subject of choice, one is not observing it. The difference between observing something and looking is that while observing, one processes the thoughts while paying attention to the details. When looking at the same thing, one is preoccupied with thoughts and perhaps lacks attention when looking at the same thing.

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Ever wondered why art is a meditative practice or why is observation important in creativity?

Art can be meditative when it is done with self-awareness. Practising art with self-awareness can relax you physically and mentally. Artists usually depict what they see and experience, for which eyes are essential tools in the artist’s toolkit. However, they are not the only senses involved in observation in art. The art of keen observation is also meditation when we pay attention to something closely.

Every art school has nature drawing as the foundation subject, when learning drawing. When one studies drawing nature, one eventually observes many mostly overlooked details. This practice of observation in art enables students to appreciate the intricacies of their surroundings. For example, each leaf has so many details. Nature has so much to offer, the different shapes, forms, colours, light, cast shadows, and the rhythm of the design formed by all these. All the different types of species and their designs are rich sources of inspiration.

Every bit is worth seeking inspiration in the world of infinite creations.

Almost all the Great Painters and Sculpture artists turned to nature as their object of study. Painters like Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin etc., were intuitively responding to the ebbs and flows of nature. Vincent Van Gogh painted flowers, and amongst all the flowers, he was drawn to the sunflowers. Van Gogh’s famous ‘Sunflowers’ series were his experiments with colours. He made multiple versions of sunflowers to show how the same colours could be depicted in varied ways. It was his observation in art of the colours of nature. While on the other hand, Claude Monet made a series of haystacks. This painting depicted the different times of the day and the light affected by the time.

Through the art of observation, one can gather information. This gathered information can act as a repository for aspiring artists to create their work.

Observing a dog walk down the street with its owner can provide insights. The way you feel as you watch them walk might provide insight into their behaviour. Alternatively, a little girl passing by might want to pet the dog, and someone else might change their way, fearing the dog. A list of reactions to actions can be observed by one.

An illustrator could express this same information to capture the different perspectives and emotions, showcasing the artists' life through their unique lens. An animator could set the drama through this simple act and play around with the sense of timing in the animation. This entire event can look very appealing and convincing when these minute details are sketched out as part of the whole event.

Some paths go beyond nature’s, but to reach those levels, one must understand the mechanism of nature’s being, which fits within the law of nature. It would be possible to justify one’s creations more deeply if one brought this understanding to them.