"The Oil Sketch" Opening The Floodgates of Creativity

"View of An Utrecht Farm" By Eric Buechel

In 2012, my perspective on oil sketches and my approach to them underwent a significant transformation that I had not anticipated. This pivotal shift occurred during a visit to The Frist Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, where I had the remarkable opportunity to encounter the stunning artworks of John Constable. His collection of oil and watercolor sketches profoundly altered my view of these studies, illuminating aspects that I had previously overlooked.

Although I had been creating these artistic gems for as long as I could remember, it was the specific collection at The Frist that made me realize the dual benefits that oil sketches offer—not only to the artist but also to the viewer. The sketches displayed a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the artist's mind, showcasing the connection between the initial ideas and the completed works that often hang in galleries. Those spontaneous brushstrokes, so full of life and energy, revealed, at least to me, the artist's inner processes, the very essence of creativity that often gets lost in the final product.

While my art did not drastically change on the surface—perhaps just a subtle evolution—I began to see my oil sketches as finished pieces for the first time. This realization was liberating; I had previously viewed them merely as preliminary studies or exercises in technique. However, after witnessing Constable's work, I recognized that these sketches held their own value and could stand independently as significant expressions of artistic thought. Although I had never intended to sell these little gems, I started exhibiting them regularly, and to my surprise, they began to gain attention and were purchased by collectors who appreciated their raw authenticity.

John Constable has been one of my top six favorite artists since the early days of my career, and his influence on my approach to my own work has only deepened as I've matured as an artist. His ability to capture the fleeting moments of nature with such spontaneity and emotion resonated with me and inspired me to embrace a similar ethos in my own creations. I've often shared with my students the importance of sketching, whether in pencil or oil, as an essential tool for growth and development in their work as a whole. It's simple yet profound: "No Sketches, No Growth." This advice holds true not just for budding artists but also for seasoned professionals.

If you're not feeling up to a full day in the studio, I encourage you to sketch something—anything. This practice can serve as a catalyst, helping you find your way back to creativity and inspiration. An artist isn't a machine; we don't just produce a product and call it a day. Instead, we engage in a deeply personal and often unpredictable journey of expression. However, we can't rely solely on inspiration to create; we must also cultivate discipline and consistency in our practice. If you need a little nudge to start your day, I wholeheartedly recommend beginning with a sketch or two. This simple act can open the floodgates of creativity and set the tone for a productive and fulfilling artistic day ahead.

Detail

An Artist's Sketch

By Eric Buechel

In quiet corners, where thoughts take flight, An artist's sketch reveals the light.

With pencil poised, they start to dream, Transforming whispers into a stream.

Each line a journey, each curve a sigh, A dance of shadows beneath the sky. In

scribbles and strokes, emotions blend, A silent language that knows no end.

The fleeting glance of a passing face, The essence of time, a sacred space. In every

sketch, a story unfolds, Of laughter, of sorrow, of dreams untold.

With every mark, the heart lays bare, A testament to the soul's deep care. In graphite

whispers, the truth is sought, A glimpse of the world, in silence caught.

For every artist, the sketch is a key, Unlocking the doors to what could be. In rough

drafts and studies, they find their way, Through chaos and order, they choose to stay.

So let them sketch, let them explore, For in those lines, they find their core. An artist's sketch

is a vital thread, Weaving the fabric of thoughts unsaid.

Eric Buechel Fine Art

P. O. Box 277

Pleasant Hill, Tennessee 38578

931-881-7806

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