>>5219559>>5219594Schmid is, in the end, a mediocre artist. It could be genetic but from reading his book I'd have to put it down to attitude. Plein air is a great book but some of his opinions reveal his close-mindedness and stubbornness. e.g. his opinions on rock and pop music.
Great American artists do exist. James Whistler, John S Sargent, Frederick E Church, etc.
>>5217384Technical ability alone will never translate to great art. Perfect prose won't write a great novel, Perfect technique in music will not write great piece or play it well.
There are hidden factors that make a work 'Great'. Romantic composers exalted Beethoven for his 'Creativity' 'Insight' 'Emotion'. All very vague isn't it?
While we can break down the Eroica Symphony it'll never provide us a roadmap to that same level of greatness.
I think we can all therefore agree that the exact qualities that make a work great are elusive. The people behind them however are innovative, open-minded, visionary and in the end great story tellers. They have something meaningful to say.
Oh and fuck jannies