The Artist's Studio

Hans Laagland has written a lengthy essay in which he argues that good craftsmanship is an important aspect of good artistic performance.

“It does not matter what the artist paints, but how he paints it. That is why Rubens is a genius while Picasso’s work is passable.”

On still lifes: “All objects we see today, both modern and antique, are contemporary for the painter.”

On portraits: “A portrait must be painted entirely from life. When the model is inanimate, then the portrait becomes a still life. When the painter uses photographs as an aid the painting deteriorates.”

On landscapes: “The personality of the artist is most clearly apparent when he paints his landscapes by making preparatory sketches in nature and doing the actual painting in his studio.”

On nudes: “Because a nude is seamless it begs to be painted in one motion.”