Why is a Pen and Ink drawing not seen as a complete artform?

Question

For 45 years I make pen and ink drawings.
So far till today it looks like the world don't see it as a complete art form.
Its always seen as a way of sketching and not at a final product.
Have more people that experience?

Answer 1

Society as a whole is conditioned to accept a pretty narrow definition of 'art'- oil paintings, stone or metal sculptures, orchestral or operatic music, etc.

Pen and ink, watercolor, wire or paper mache sculptures, etc. are not considered serious by the general public.

Sad, but the way things are.

Answer 2

This mostly stems from the western history/tradition of art. Just like many western societies, art had a class structure. With painting, sculpture and architechture at the top.

Drawing was seen as a skill from which to build up to one of the other big three. Drawing was important, but seen merely as the base for the other forms to stand on.

If an artist back then was to spend most of their time drawing they more or less would have gravitated towards a printing technique like intaglio or lithography to make a living.

These attitudes and notions just simply aren't the case nowadays but we also haven't completely culturally shrugged off those old world conceptions either. Any person who truely appreciates art in all its forms would never say pen and ink is not a "complete" artfrorm.

There are established artists out there today who work in this fashion and are completely accepted by the art world establishment. Raymond Pettibon is one that pops into my head.

http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/pettibon/index.html

Answer 3

You must be very impressive at using these two art mediums together. As a practicing artist/art Instructor for over 10 years all together I have found that there exist an elect few who govern over the terminology of what-we-should, and how-we-should refer to specific concerns within the art of painting and drawing and just plain old self expression. I feel your pain.

To answer your question though most professional arts advocates who research and, or practice this particular art form of painting and drawing and are aware of its deep history says that because pen and ink does not identify with the painterly qualities you find in an oil, watercolor, or acrylic based paintings. When many people think of a painting they think of fluidity. And although pen and ink drawings carries a lot of weight when considering the use of lines and contour, the final product usually conveys more or less the importance of line and contour for visual strengths.

Now have you considered the mixed media of pen, ink and acrylic? There are no doubt formulated rules and processes handed down from the masters, but there really are no strict and firm rules as to create and produce art. It is very personal and subjective. Great art in my view leads to emotions and questions the artist motivation and process. Overall it is about experimentation and self expression. Hang in there!

Answer 4

i think that sketching is the most beautiful art form. it is raw and real. if others don't agree they are wrong.

i sketch too!!!

Answer 5

I have run into this too. I'm glad you didn't change what you were doing because of it. You're not alone.