In his book, Mastery, Robert Greene writes that it takes 10.000 hours to achieve mastery in any one field. In painting, to reach the point where brushes become an extension of body and mind and applying paint as natural as breathing – I believe it takes that amount of dedication.
However, given that the journey of life is of greater importance than the final bow, great joy can be derived from the daily learning experience. We never quite know what insight or revelation is just around the corner, or beyond the initial steps.
Rapid watercolour vignette from The Art School, Olhao – http://www.artinthealgarve.com
I also believe that it is only when an artist marries technical prowess with the intangible that the real magic begins.
When we consider the following definitions of intangible: unable to be touched, not having physical presence, ethereal, spiritual, it’s easy to understand why this element of painting is often illusive.
I find that when I fully connect to my subject and literally feel inside of me that I become what I see….that I begin to touch on the intangible.