Inspiration Haven

stanprokopenko:

Steve Huston is one of the best artists and teachers of our time. His advice has been helping me figure out how I should approach making art and why I create art in the first place. 

In this interview, Steve Huston talks about how to grow as an artist, how to develop a unique style, how to find what calls to you, and much more. It’s a mighty 106 minute conversation filled with golden nuggets. Don’t miss this one.

Steve recently published an instructional book on figure drawing. I think it’s a must have for every artist learning how to draw: Figure Drawing for Artists: Making Every Mark Count

Topics

01:44:44 – Where can we get your book?

00:00:33 – Steve’s new book

00:00:45 – Going to Art Center*

00:01:21 – Drawing Comics as a Kid

00:02:15 – Illustrating after art school

00:03:36 – Teaching at Art Center*

00:04:21 – Taking over the classes of famous teachers

00:06:28 – Learning paint and color

00:09:00 – How did you learn color?

00:13:28 – Finding your style

00:14:34 – Working after Art Center

00:15:44 – Becoming a better artist

00:19:49 – Growing as an artist through teaching

00:21:20 – Making a finished art piece

00:26:25 – Thinking critically about the art you’re making

00:27:58 – Good copying vs bad copying

00:28:59 – Art as philosophy

00:30:26 – Developing an art style

00:33:34 – Creating a truly unique style*

00:46:36 – Drawing and painting better by asking question*

00:53:27 – Steve Huston’s inspirations

00:58:39 – What does an artist do if they don’t have any good ideas?

01:01:23 – How do artists balance idea and craft?

01:02:55 – Being afraid of drawing something “wrong”*

01:09:58 – The tools for creativity

01:11:40 – What is the purpose of creating art?

01:16:28 – How do you find what calls to you?*

01:27:00 – What was your creative learning schedule like?

01:33:52 – What would you have done differently in your art education?

01:36:16 – Did you study more from life or more from masters?

01:37:48 – Consistency in your artwork

01:39:13 – What do you enjoy more: quick-sketch or longer drawings?

01:41:09 – What medium do you want to learn?

01:42:02 – Any new books coming up?

01:43:18 – Where do you see your art going in the next 10 years?