These are of course useful things to consider. But the most useful thing I learned about the teacher student relation is the importance of a teacher not pulling punches in their criticism. I learned this because my first painting teacher always found something positive to say. It was not helpful. My second painting teacher would say "can't you see that perspective is completely wrong." Or he would say "Look a hand is as big as a face." I learned a lot from him.
Yes, I agree that honest criticism is essential and the more precise and exacting the better. I remember from my days in Art courses, the teachers were all abstract expressionists who insisted that their ideas, their painted rendering of the world was the only valid one....for me, their hostility and fundamentalist BS was honest, subjective and completely rejected by me. So, honesty and clarity yes, but there being only their way, no....
These are of course useful things to consider. But the most useful thing I learned about the teacher student relation is the importance of a teacher not pulling punches in their criticism. I learned this because my first painting teacher always found something positive to say. It was not helpful. My second painting teacher would say "can't you see that perspective is completely wrong." Or he would say "Look a hand is as big as a face." I learned a lot from him.
Yes, I agree that honest criticism is essential and the more precise and exacting the better. I remember from my days in Art courses, the teachers were all abstract expressionists who insisted that their ideas, their painted rendering of the world was the only valid one....for me, their hostility and fundamentalist BS was honest, subjective and completely rejected by me. So, honesty and clarity yes, but there being only their way, no....
absolutely Robert.