Monday, October 05, 2009

The Thinking Artist





Just a sneak preview at some of the stuff I'm working on for the book I (eventually) plan on releasing.  People taking my class will get to see the rest and the explanations that go with it.


I want my book to be about how aspiring concept artists and digital painters can cognitively increase their "talent" level.  Some people are probably born with great talent---but not most of us, including me.  Luckily, I had good opportunities and the audacity to think that nothing could stop me from doing what I saw my peers do.  And with a lot of effort, I learned how to do things I saw other people doing naturally.  Now I want to share what I've learned.

 
The only problem is I want it to be a masterwork, but I'm nowhere near capable of that.  Because I keep recognizing areas where I need to improve, I keep putting off my work on it.  So I hope people waiting for the book are okay with a release date of 2069, when I've finally mastered everything.
Either that or you can convince me that an amateur publication is good enough for now.

34 comments:

  1. I think , that this book coul be so important for a lot of people.
    .Why? , because you´re a great master now , and you have not wait until 2060 for to see it.
    .I wish can see that book in my hands one day !!!

    .By the way Sam , what about your brushes? , I´d kill for them..(hahaha)

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  2. If you're writing it, it's 99.9% of a chance that I will buy it. So keep up posted.

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  3. Jose: Then you'd be terribly disappointed as you stood over my corpse, only to discover that I mostly use the Captured Bristle Acrylic, and the Airbrush, both of which come straight out of the box in Painter. I have a couple custom brushes I use once in a while, but they're hardly worth killing over. But I'll post them anyway, once I figure out how to make them more portable.

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  4. This book sounds great. A fresh and highly practical angle on art instruction. I relate to what you are saying a lot. I work hard and long hours to try and cognitively acquire what people like Kei Acedera has naturally. Im hoping one day a great epiphany will open my mind to great new levels.

    Id pick this book up...errr....if Im still alive in 2069. Id be what...88 or somethin. Maybe Id finally have that artist beard (ie Sargent, Rembrandt, Da Vinci etc) I want so badly.

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  5. I need this book. Textures and lighting was my weakest course!

    Wonderful work and I look forward to it.

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  6. Just do it. haha.
    I'm always eager to read your tutorials/tips that you post, so I would definitely want that book!!
    When I read the beginning of the post, I was excited about learning new stuff, then it was just a sneak peak, then excited again because of the news of the book... then 2069...Please please do it so I can use it at some point in my carreer!! It would be sooo helpful! =)

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  7. I will buy it if you have a book signing at the BYU bookstore, and you write some witty comment in my book.

    But really, who cares if you have not mastered everything. How cool would that be to have your own book? Besides, aren't professors supposed to publish? :) Even part time ones.

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  8. Sam, You are indeed good enough and there are tons of people who can learn a lot from you. I improved more as a result of your class than from any other class I've taken at BYU. I'm going to go ahead and pre-order your book as soon as I can.

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  9. I'd buy the book now, even if it was half finished. The sheer amount I could learn from you would be worth it. Can't wait to get my hands on it!

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  10. Yeah, I'd really like to see a book. Your class was so jam-packed with information, and it was all so useful, I want a hard copy. "How to Paint the Sam Nielson Way!" It'll be great.

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  11. I will get myself thawed out in time to purchase your book after i have popped my clogs. Looks very good though :-)

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  12. ho man... I would so buy this book, Sam old boy.
    for sure.
    put me down for 1 copy, please.
    :))

    it`s great knowing you`re never at ease with your abillities and always raising the bar for yourself (and others).

    keep at it!
    P.

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  13. YES! YES! I teach high school Art and this looks like it could be a wonderful resource when we look into our unit on illustrator tricks of the trade. Students really seem to enjoy it when what was a mystical ability becomes demystified. Thanks for sharing what you've learned.

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  14. Where do I sign up? I will buy one or two copies of your book. Thanks!

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  15. Consider another one sold here.

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  16. Hey Sam , i dont think you disappoint to me, i can see your work every day .
    .Thanks for your explication about how you work .
    .And about your brushes , thanks again for teach me Captured Bristle Acrylic. I did´nt know this brush!!!

    .See u and keep in touch!

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  17. Consider 1 sold to me. Even if it's the most amateur-likely book in the world, I'd buy it eyes closed :-)

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  18. Anonymous6:16 PM

    I would do anything for that book.

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  19. how would someone go about getting a copy of your work i.e., the Bill Cosby and Jello piece, hhaha!!!! feel free to email me at:
    brandon@theprintpros.com

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  20. Better save me a copy too Sam.

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  21. I think the title of this post is very well-named.

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  22. The book must be shared ! At least with coworkers *cough*

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  23. Ey man! Here in Spain we love your work! Please, do that book we will buy it for the Studio ;)

    Best Regards,
    Digital Rebel Animation Studios.

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  24. S,

    very nice work you got man!

    cheers>oVi

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  25. Fuck that 2069. I'll pay you RIGHT NOW for the notes.

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  26. Anonymous12:51 AM

    I want this book!
    All be good -)
    You can do it great!)

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  27. oh, i would love to have this book in my hands! let me know when you publish it!

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  28. if you're worried about it not being a complete masters works then just call it prelude to a masters works and release it!

    you also have to keep in mind that there will be people above and below your current skill level and all that are below will see HIGH value in your work!

    the lessons you can teach are the best kind because as you explained-you struggled to learn it step by step-and being able to relay that to others is really really helpful-rather than a natural saying-um..i'm not sure how i do it..i just do it...

    anyways thats my 2cents-I'd like a copy please :)

    cheers!
    joe

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  29. 2069! That's 100 years after I was born! And I'm not that old right now. Whatever you feel your areas of needed improvement to be, any book you write today would at least be as good as 98% of the rest of the books out there. (I'd say 100%, but I'm a meanie, and plus I haven't seen everything that's out there). So, just do it. :o)

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  30. Roman6:01 AM

    I would pick it up! For sure. Or take your class, but I guess this wont be possible for me. So please keep on working on your book.

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  31. Think artist is really nice book..I like it ...Thanks for posting...

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  32. I have been searching to something similar and I found this excellent blog

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