What am I missing?
It’s not the tools its the artist. Of course there is hard work and practice involved but that question implies that, with the right tools, anyone can create the same art.
It’s still a fair question, because talent is quite often limited by the tools.
I would argue that it is literally never the question you should ask, assuming you get to ask a single question of a master in your craft. It’s honestly an embarrassment of a question in that scenario. It’s just a complete waste of the precious access you have to real talent.
You could maybe ask your contemporaries that question instead.
Do you think a theoretical physicist would ask Einstein what type of pencil he used?
Einstein didn’t use a pencil. He used a fountain pen. I know that because someone asked him.
Albert Einstein used both a Pelikan 100 N and a Waterman Taper-cap Fountain Pen which he used to develop the Theory of Relativity. The Waterman pen is on display at the Boerhaave Museum in Leiden.
This is absolutely perfect. With this information one is no closer to knowing anything at all about theoretical physics, and one has incurred the opportunity cost of asking a question that gets them no closer to knowing anything about theoretical physics.
This is where the artist of the original cartoon was careful to clarify the ultimate goal of the asker was to do what Michaelangelo does, at the level that Michaelangelo does it.
If one doesn’t care to learn about the craft, then it’s a tidbit. An anecdote to share at parties. The solution to an escoteric crossword puzzle.
If you want to become a similar master of the craft, it’s a waste of a question.
In the case of Michelangelo it is a relevant question though.
At the time it was seemingly impossible to create these kinds of statues using conventional sculpturing techniques. If you try to chisel these shapes in large blocks off marble it would absolutely break in unintended places from chiseling.
Had he used a special tool, then that would have been the simple explanation.
He didn’t use special tools though, so having him confirm that he did indeed use a regular round chisel (and a rasp) is crucial to understanding how it was done.
The confirmation is the key information to even start thinking of the follow-up question “how the hell did you do that then?”
Answering “bro, it’s my talent” is of very little use to anyone.
From studying his unfinished works historians have been able to figure it out. He used knowledge of counter weight. By leaving large parts of the marble block untouched until the end he managed to balance the marble so that it would not break unintentionally.
A curious fact is that he always kept his unfinished works secret or covered. Nobody was allowed to see it before he was done. He intended to keep his technique secret.
Many people who start out at a craft or hobby fall into the trap of thinking they need to get the best and most expensive equipment in order to improve or “get good”.
In most cases the better equipment might feel nicer to work with, but doesn’t really improve the performance of their wielder.
The hard truth that can be hard to accept, is that the pro’s are really good because they put a lot of time and effort into getting there. And there really are no shortcuts around that.
A good teacher will recommend tools that are good enough for the skill level.
Got it, I’ll use this blunted horseshoe nail.
But tools are important to a degree.
When you’re starting out, it’s extremely useful to know what your core toolbox needs to include, and who better to ask than someone who clearly knows what they’re doing? Michaelangelo could have said “Well, I use a broad flat chisel for for bulk removal, large and small gouge chisels for soft curves, and mainly a v chisel for the finer details”
When you’re trying to emulate a specific style, sometimes the type of tool can be crucial for nailing the look. For example, Bob Ross used a palette knife extensively, and choose very different brushes for different elements. Even a skilled painter would have difficulty reproducing his work if all they had was one 1-inch flat brush.
Agreed, but that’s not really how the question in the comic was phrased.
That seems like the intent of the artist, but the question alone, literally, can be taken either way. I’m just saying that this interpretation is an over-generalization of the question, implying that it’s always meant as “What brand of tool will magically make me good?”.
Not to take away from your point, but Bob Ross had a few episodes where he deliberately restricted himself to only using a single tool for that week’s painting–as I recall, he used a palette knife exclusively in one episode, and a two-inch flat brush in another. (That said, it also reinforces your point a bit because there’s a HUGE difference between an artist’s 2-inch brush and the two-inch brush you buy from the hardware store, and you’re going to struggle massively if you try to follow along with Bob using a regular brush.)
Didn’t Bob use a hardware store brush sometimes?
That said Bob was really the prototypical technique guy that this comment is poking fun at.
If he did, I don’t remember watching that episode. IIRC a big part of Ross’s technique took advantage of the way the fibers on the brush spread when pressed head-on into the canvas, and hardware store brushes just can’t replicate that.
Yes, and those paintings were distinctive and different. If you tried to follow one of his more detailed paintings with only a palette knife, or one of his mountain scenes with just a fan and a filbert, you won’t get very close. That’s why it’s important to have the right tool(s) for the right job, and how better to find out than asking a talented professional?
Not exactly art, but as a beginner in climbing you definitely want good shoes. The same applies when you are experienced of course, but the difference between a good and bad shoe purely in terms of enjoyment is enormous.
The same applies to a lot of other stuff as well. If you feel like your equipment is constantly fighting you, it’s hard to enjoy what you’re doing.
Agreed. I think most hobbyists establish a baseline minimum requirement, which some of it boils down to preference. That preference is usually for newer hobbyists to avoid the same pitfalls. Some may misinterpret it as gatekeeping if you recommend a nuanced opinion, but it’s your opinion, anyone is allowed to disagree.
I think to OPs point, people asking “what kind of camera do you use?” Isn’t meant to be offensive. It’s an exploratory question meant to inspire discussion and it usually means that person has an interest in the topic.
People find the craziest things to be offended about nowadays.
I don’t know the first thing about climbing, but I assume there is good stuff, and then super expensive top notch stuff.
My comment is not an argument against getting decent or good equipment.
With regards to climbing shoes I would say there’s super cheap crap, and that as long as you don’t buy that, personal preference is more important than anything else. Professionals will often be using the same shoes as people with a couple months of experience.
While that’s true, my table tennis rating would definitely drop if I were using a cheap paddle set up.
On the other hand, a beginner would still get smoked.
I could use a shoe and my non dominant had to smoke a beginner. But still, if you try to learn something with the worst equipment it can teach bad habits and not be as fun. Far from needing the high end stuff, though. Unless your newly about to pick up high altitude mountain climbing. Might not want to skimp on that one. Lol
if you try to learn something with the worst equipment it can teach bad habits and not be as fun. Far from needing the high end stuff, though
Yeah I think this holds rue for a lot of stuff, if you’re serious about learning, you do need decent equipment, but you don’t need the best, most expensive stuff there is.
Hahah mountain climbing. Yeah, touché!
Adam Savage has this ideology that if you start a new type of creative hobby, you buy the cheapest tools that has the functions you need. Then when that tool breaks, you buy a nice and expensive version that will last.
Because you have proven that you will use the tool enough to break it.
A lot of markets are filled with tool shaped trash that will actually stop you from doing anything. Especially when you’re not already extremely knowledgeable, learning can be a problem when you don’t know if the problem is your or your equipment.
And looking for a bigger price tag doesn’t help, because the trash makers have figured that out and covered that market as well.
I always wanted to get into bungee jumping…
This works great for a lot of hobbies but not for some. Some hobbies you certainly don’t want your main tool breaking on you. But it kind of applies you don’t need the top of the line to start with but at least opt for solid quality over fancy features.
It’s like people asking creators “in what program do you make your videos”, as if that’s what makes the final video what it is.
More likely they have no program at all and thus no ability at all to make videos and they’d like to know where to get a good start.
In fairness a good set of chisels is important for fine stone work.
I did woodworking sculptures with chisels for a bit and even modern steel gets too hot from friction and ruins the tip after a while, I bet it was absolute hell 5 centuries ago.
They had decent steel back then but you’re right. They probably had to have a wheel grinder nearby or it would have been painfully slow.
How broken am I that my first thought was, “what is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad doing there?”
You’re broken? I though the question was going to be something along the lines of "why are the dicks so small?
Easy,
" I only use Michelangelo - High Carbon Premium Steel Chisels with the high density Michelangelo Hammer with the Comfort Grip extension for only 299! "
Yeah I can give advice for awhile I was using the Estwing 590x but the grip just wasn’t doing it for me so I tried out the more expensive Miller Diamond Tooth chisel.
I would wait for the new chisel models to come out this year though since the Raptor Claw line of chisels is going to be coming out from Performance Chisel and those look reallly good.
Try reading reviews on crazychisellersforum.net there are also a bunch of good YouTube chisel review channels like Color Me Chiselled.
But watch out for Mr Chiseller on YouTube and Awl Shucks on TikTok. Both look like chiseling but they are, in fact, planing. I’ve tried reporting the channels but it went nowhere.
My daily driver is a Moroni medium-fine weight but the secret is that I sharpen is each time I’m done with it so it can tackle just about anything. If you’ve got a burl, you’ll need something beefier, like a Stanchion heavy weight with the leather grip (remember leather is forever) and a shallow angled blade. It’s more work but it’s much easier. (Please don’t DM about how Stanchion is now Chinese owned, I’m talking about their stuff from a few years ago. Avoid the rubber grips because that’s the new stuff)
I’d warn against crazychisellersforum.bet because some people go there to sell Chi like crazy people and it’s getting flooded by bots after that Wood Work game came out. I was part of the exodus to chiselorbechiselled.net and we are slowly growing!
I use old Chisels made with Swedish steel. Nooitgedagt and whatever I can get my hands on.
Obviously you’ll need a Snap-On auto-chisel.
You don’t even need to start without the MarbleBlaster 40K
Sir, no offense but MarbleBlaster 40K is a cheap piece of garbage. I go for MarbleChisler 4K.
Sure, 4kW is probably adequate for your hobby projects.
But if you’re serious about the craft, the Blaster’s 40kW of rock-splitting POWER makes penetrating a granite rock-face easier than a drunk college freshman.You misunderstand. With 4K it actually chisels stone at 4K resolution.
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Amateur/hobbiest photographer here.
What boils me is when people who sees my picture and say “Wow! Nice photo, you must have an expensive camera”.
It’s never your years of shooting or your passion to the craft. It’s always down to " What camera is that from".
I also shoot 35mm film as well. Even then, people only care about the camera.
luckily, as an actor, the only thing I need for my craft is my body, my voice, and rich parents.
It’s not ridiculous for a non hobbyist to assume you need “good” gear to get good results. They are literally ignorant.
Well, camera phones equipment determines photo quality. Typically that’s the only exposure to photography so I understand why they are asking these questions .
Also, good gear helps. But if you don’t know what you’re doing, then the best gear won’t do you much good.
I was around cameras all my life, but I only when I bought my first dslr, I started to actually think about how each setting would influence the photo, and I eventually had lots of fun playing around with different settings, motives and eventually photography became an hobby of mine.
What I am trying to say: hobbyists may not need “good” gear, but they still need the “right” gear, i.e. gear that makes the hobby enjoyable.
Nikon or Canon?
Minolta.
My mother has been using the same camera since the 90s and has only rellaced equipment if it was really unfixably broken. She did photography as her only source of income up until pretty recently and still does it as a hobby. Going on shoots with her quickly made me realize that the quality of an artistic piece doesnt directly correlate with the price and newness of their equipment at a pretty young age. She complained a lot about talking to other photographers at classes/conventions and being forced to listen to some dudebro talk about the specs of their equipment and how expensive it was as well as feeling constantly advertised to. Its interesting how prevelent this is in even non tech focused artistic pursuits. I wonder if this is a direct result of capitalisms influence on art or if some artists would still blame their short comings on material failure even without the profit motive encouraging that narrative.
I used to used Facebook groups for photography and there are 2 types of people. Artists and Equipmentist.
One talked about how to use lighting and the other talked about the lumen output for a certain speed light.
Mostly tech bros. They are always the ones suggesting hiring “models” for photoshoots.
they really do don’t they. I’ve never had anybody ask me how I got that framing to look nice or why I chose this lens over the other to shoot, it’s always “what camera do you have”, well my friend I have an intro to photography camera called Canon 90D, now pls stfu about the gear I’m using,
I think it’s when camera phones started to get more creative that is when I noticed the equipment question.
Back in the 90s I was shooting film and never got the equipment question. It’s always wow, what technique did you do to get this shot? Or what are simple things I can do to make my shots look like that?
I think sometimes it’s just having something to talk about, some way to engage and be interested/friendly. I can’t really say, “wow, nice photo, you must have hit that focal length just right,” if I think that means you kept a distance from your subject the length of a Ford Focus.
Ya, I understand that. I sorta blame the camera phone. Back in the 90s, before digital cameras came out, I never got the equipment question. Comments were closer to what pencils artists were getting. "How long did you practice to get this good? Did you take classes or you just read books to learn how to draw? "
But as camera phones became more filtered and more “creative”, the more people associated better photos with better cameras.
Just take some good photos with a crappy disposable.
Give me a kids camera and golden hour and I’ll get you some bangers.
“These are great but… Why is Hulk Hogan in every shot?”
Screw Hugan. Randy Johnson is the real American hero.
I can’t remember what year it was, but the Canadian armed forces had a photo contest and the winning shot was literally from a disposable camera.
I wouldn’t call myself a photographer at all, not even amateur, but I also had someone once comment that I “must have a very expensive camera” in response to a lucky shot I got once of a horizontal lightning bolt in the sky.
The camera was a Sony Cybershot T-200.
You press a button. Relax, chief
Super easy.
Barely an inconvenience
