Master Class 4: Leonardo da Vinci

Welcome to the 5th edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts which will run every Sunday.

Style File and Techniques & Tools were the first two projects posted and links to all 23 posts can be found on the sidebar of my blog. The third project, Master Class, continues now...

Participants were asked : 'If you could take a class from one artist from anytime in history, including the present, who would it be and why?'
(Images and links have been added by The Altered Page)
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Chapter 4: Leonardo da Vinci

Jill Zaheer aptly describes the breadth and depth of da Vinci's reach. "I would love to take a class from Leonardo da Vinci. He integrates the technical aspects of mathematics with the physics in his paintings while still expressing emotion and depth within all that he drew, painted and created. Da Vinci was a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, geologist, anatomist, cartographer, botanist, writer and philosopher. To be able to interact and be a student of such a talented artist would be a life long gift."

Pam Carriker says "I would take a sketching class from Leonardo da Vinci. His techniques looks so simple but it's so detailed at the same time. I love the simple beauty of his sketches and could spend for hours on end practicing. It's something you would never be 'done' with, it would just go and on as you play with light, shading, and various drawing instruments."

David Hayes concurs. "It would have to be Leonardo da Vinci. Why? Why isn't that obvious! The man was a genius...to spend time with him discussing anything he wanted to would just be an amazing time. Even still, given my choice of topics I would want him to focus on his "process"...how he came up with his concepts...how he viewed life and translated this to his art. So much to learn from just this!"

Donna Joy feels that "it would be interesting to hear his thought process while he is creating something."

Stacey Merrill says "not only did he have an incredible eye, but he was a master of looking at things from a whole new perspective...and then coming up with a creative solution. His interests were so varied, you could be learning anything from figure drawing to mechanical engineering (+ everything in between) in his classroom."

For Lelainia N. Lloyd, "hands down, without a second of thought, I would have to say Leonardo da Vinci. Not only was the man a brilliant painter and sculptor, but he was also an architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, philosopher, humanist, geologist, cartographer, botanist and writer (Can you say "Polymath"boys and girls?). He was a true visionary and one of the most brilliant minds of all time. Who wouldn't want the opportunity to tap into his genius?"

Nelda Ream sums this all up very well. "The man was a genius. I would probably be so awestruck I couldn't say a word."
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Next "Master Class" will be held on Sunday, January 8th.