If you're not good at realism, does it mean you're not a good artist?

Answer 1

- No, what does realism have with a great imagination where inspiration really comes from art.

Answer 2

There is no singular form of realism in art. Artists make choices based on what they think is important.

Moreover, what can be said for abstract artists, or cartoonists? Were Jackson Pollock and Walt Disney "bad" artists? Neither of them conformed to what I think you mean by realism (that is, a decidedly Italian tradition). Yet they were both incredible artists in their own right.

Being a "good" artist is more complicated than conforming to any specific tradition.

So to answer your question directly, good artists are good not necessarily because they are "good" at portraying reality, but because they achieve their goals. Artists have different goals...what are yours?

Edit, March 14, 2007: I typed this right before taking my History of Art 11 midterm, so it may be a bit hostile in tone. If you were offended, I'm sorry.
I was actually very excited, surprised, and grateful for your question, because it helped me study for the midterm. Thank you.

God bless.

Answer 3

Being not good at realism does'nt mean you are not a good artist. Painting as such is a mode of self expression the language in which it is spoken must be rich in emmotional contents. It should express your very inner feelings.
Realistic art works without feelings or expression becomes a dumb photograph. It says nothing. Gone are those old days when only realistic paintings are considered anything of value. It belongs wholly to the western mediavle culture.
Think the Egyptians working inside the walls of the pyramids or Persian weavers working on carpets. Nothing realistic about them. But certainly they are far greater artists than any of snobby self proclaimed realists.

I think your querry will get more support in :
www.wetcanvas.com
www.deviantart.com
conceptart.org
They are a real open forum for artists who thinks its a free world

Answer 4

Being good at realism means you're good at copying. Being a good artist means interpreting realism in your own unique way.

Answer 5

Every man to his own profession...
If you are not good at realism. It means you at least tried it.
It does not mean you are any less of an artist.
Personally I paint like an Amish Scuba Diver. Does that make me bad? Heck! Its just how my brain, hand and brush move.
So many of the great artists are impressionists or some other form of art like a cubeist or surrealist.
Keep working on your painting, eventually somebody will like it, even if its only your family.
I would be glad to have a painting done by my grandparents, even if it looked like blobs of color on a woven rug.

Answer 6

no. the work of good artist always start with realism, than converts to abstract. Abstraction is just a distorted or twisted version of the real world.

Answer 7

no only your personal perception is to be expressed