“It is the first vision that counts. The artist has only to remain true to his dream and it will possess his work in such a manner that it will resemble the work of no other…for no two visions are alike, and those who reach the heights have all toiled up steep mountains by a difference route. To each has been revealed a different panorama.” (Albert Pinkham Ryder)
The first vision! The initial image or thought. Are we ready to accept the absolute importance of the first vision as definitive? For the American painter Albert Pinkham Ryder, the first idea or thought was paramount. Everything else after the initial vision was secondary or less! The emerging artists in American and Europe who were turning their gaze toward the new impulses at the end of the 19th century, place greater and greater importance on that first vision!
In your experiences as an artist, whether in the campus studio assignment or in your own creative space, do you accept as “gospel” the validity of the initial or first response as the solution? Or do you experiment and journey in multiple directions to find something ‘better’ or ‘stronger’? What are your thoughts on the validity of the “first vision” as definitive?
The first vision can be used as a solution or initial response to art. Artists, such as Albert Pinkham Ryder, my use the first vision to inspire their artworks. However, I prefer to experiment with my art style to find something stronger. If I focus on one direction, in both art and reality, I won’t be able to both learn and understand the methods, resources, and perspectives provided from different fields of art. If I experiment with multiple art methods and perspectives, I could create a wide variety of artwork that could strongly emphasize my initial designs. Also, if I experiment with different directions, I could achieve a better understand of both myself and how I could engage myself in the art world. The First Vision can be defined as definitive as both a religion/culture and initial art style in art history. However, I don’t believe the First Vision is a definitive perspective for artists. Artists should expand their horizons to find a vision that is true to their beliefs, perspectives, and art style.
What an interesting thought! In my experience, it is often the “first idea” that I follow through with. I find sometimes that, if I am pursuing the “first vision,” I am overthinking less to achieve as much as I can with the piece. “Here’s the idea, here’s how I’ll make it work” — usually that’s how it might go. At least right now, it has served me to start work on a piece right away… But the idea has also suffered because of my stubbornness not to venture beyond the original thought, even if it wasn’t working out.
On the other hand, there have been many, many times where I experimented with an alternate version of the “first idea” that provided a better solution, as long as I continue not to think too hard about it. (Overthinking is my worst enemy.) Re-approaching a concept past your first idea can open new corridors, and honestly, by Albert Pinkham Ryder’s definition, it is still a “first idea” in a way. Even if it is similar conceptually, the piece is still completely unique; someone else might see a different alternative from your idea – like in a consultation – or get to a similar solution to you but in their own way. Art and the art process are examples of things that are completely and absolutely individual. Therefore, the “first vision” can be one of someone’s thought and conceptualization processes–not necessarily an end-all solution for all artists. The thought is interesting, though. It’s like grasping that gut feeling, that intuition and seeing what may come of it.
In the beginning of my architecture studies, I think I was more of the type to follow the first vision and made minor tweaks to it as I went through the design process – to some extent I think i’m still like that? I feel like the difference between now and then is that I’ve been able to create a stronger first vision than compared to my earlier studio days. There is validity to the first vision as it becomes the first solution or approach to a design problem/idea. Usually that vision guides one through their design process and helps one explore more possibilities. Sometimes, the first vision might be the best – possibly being simple and effective. But there’s always room to do something more or to make something better – regardless if its necessary or not. The experimentation in finding that better can lead to so many different possibilities that who knows could peak our interests during the process.
In my own artwork, I tend to experiment with different visions and directions. I can understand why a first vision approach could be helpful, it can be more of a gut feeling, but personally in my own artwork I like to take different paths and directions to see what comes of it. Experimenting with different styles and ideas helps me put together a better picture for my work, but I can understand for people who struggle to stick with ideas, why a first vision approach could work.
Lizbeth Ramirez | Art 474
I think it’s important to recognize what the first response or “First vision” is. As artists, we are all inspired by each other and or something. I wouldn’t necessarily consider the first response as a solution though because we also need that chance to experiment and perhaps find that something ‘better’ or ‘stronger’. I believe in doing just that we are paying respects to the original vision while discovering a slightly different one that we can make our own. We each need to find our own unique voice within the art world.
This is very interesting; as an architecture student I think the first idea or concept is usually a good jumping point to begin the journey/process of deigning. However, with many things that might need to be solved within a project the first thought isn’t necessarily the only way to go from my experience. Those initial thoughts and feelings that may have been felt from the initial point I feel should stay in the back of your head as one continues to design for a project. It is sometimes easiest to take an initial design and stick with it because it has had more time to develop in your mind (and especially with such short deadlines in a school semester it seems favorable) but that isn’t always the best solution. The journey along the way can definitely give you a lot of insight and inspiration to a final design.
As an artist, I always start off with a “first vision” of how I imagine a piece will turn out, but I have found that in most of my work the final piece turns out either slightly different or really different from the initial vision. I like to experiment and go in multiple directions to improve my work. Once I start creating something, I’ll come up with an idea to make the piece better and it’s not something I would have thought of until I was actually making it. Or sometimes I’ll hate the way that it’s looking so far so I will take it in a different direction until I am happy with it. Personally, I work with paint and it’s my favorite medium because you can keep adding several layers to a piece and if you don’t like something you can simply paint over it. I started off my art journey with a closed mind and if something didn’t turn out exactly how I envisioned it would be, I would get upset. But now, I like to go with the flow and enjoy the process and accept that things can change and ultimately make the piece better. However, some artists will really follow their “first vision” and the piece will still turn out amazing too. I’m just saying that it’s alright to change directions sometimes, that’s just my personal opinion because it can get stressful if I always focus on making it exactly like the “first vision”.
Personally, I have found that I’ve grown more as an artist when I’ve pushed past my first vision and allow my idea to grow. I used to just have an idea, possibly sketch out one idea, and just followed through. I’ve noticed I’ve grown to feel more satisfied with my finished work when I’ve developed my idea through making multiple sketches, researching, and getting feedback from mentors like professors or my peers. I used to have this tunnel vision, and I think about it now and I see how it kept me from growing conceptually as an artist. But this is just me. Concept is something that is vey important to me now as an artist, so developing my work benefits me. Other artists, may benefit more by following through with their first vision. It really depends on the content of the work.
I think the first initial vision for any artist is a good place to start but by no means is complete. I think the journey adds depth to the work. I think the reason that Albert Pinkham Ryder didn’t respond to anything after if because he had this figmented idea of what his art was going to be. Just like all of us when we picture the perfect life or the perfect scene or perfect happiness we envision perfection but in reality the thing that makes beautiful artwork and beautiful life moments is capturing the journey and the experience in it. I think as artists we all start with this vision in our head as to what we want to create but eventually we realize that reality has other plans and sometimes the thing we wanted to create comes out not as real or as meaningful as what we end up creating. Art is about realizing and capturing a moment in a journey that all of us are searching for.
This is a tricky question for me because, on average, I find my first idea to be the best idea. However, I don’t think it is always the best solution. I think the importance of the first vision for these artists is the idea that it came to them; it is their character, personality, morals, experiences, etc., that gave them the concept; Instead of messing with the vision or thinking of another, they feel that rolling with it to see where it takes them gives them better expression. Whether I am painting or sculpting, I find that whatever concept I created first is the one I like the most, the one I want to play with and express. Although I am not an art major and I do not need to create art all the time or even for a particular subject. So I could see how the idea of taking the first vision could affect one intentionally trying to produce a work that meets specified criteria. In my experience, my first idea to a solution is rarely the best if I have the time to do some more analysis, it usually results in a better-laid plan.
For me, my first idea is usually my best. Even though I try to come up with multiple versions, I usually end up going with the first idea. This may be because I have more time to think about the first version and it would resonate more with me. But this isn’t always the case, once in a blue moon, I will make a different version that I actually like and go with that. I think this has to do with one’s work process, I know a lot of people will start experimenting with the first version, but end up working on it and seeing it through until the end. I want to try new versions instead of sticking with the first thing I make, so I try to make small thumbnail sketches to help visualize the end product which kind of helps me, but I still end up going with the first version. Maybe a lot of people stick with their first versions because they have an idea of what the finished version will look like in their head, but they need to realize that art is a process and not always about the end result.
As an artist, I must say that I do definitely acknowledge and respect the idea of the first vision as a solution, but I can’t agree that it has to be taken as the only one. I think as artists, something that I have always loved about being one, is the ability to constantly look at something from different angles and in different ways that produce new and interesting solutions. I know some artists are fully dedicated to honoring the first vision, and I completely respect that, but personally, I also see the importance and the pros of taking a step back to try to find something different. I won’t say that I don’t also sometimes honor the first vision myself in my work, but the idea of being able to look at something in a way that will give me two or more new solutions has always been something I’ve admired in myself and in other artists.
From my experience as an artist I typically use the first vision as a launch point for my projects. I always come up with some sort of idea that I try to execute, be it using a new technique or try new angles that I haven’t tried yet. The first vision that comes to mind layouts the blueprint for how I would expect my work to come out. After that I realize what is actually possible from my set of skills and either make changes or go further beyond my original idea. Even though I don’t end up sticking with the original idea 100%, I still value it as a crucial point in the creation process.
The way this has been put makes a great thought in terms of the first vision being THE one to follow along as the other visions will undermine or second guess that thrill of what was first seen. Though I am a believer that changing your opinion in something for the better is a good thing to do with no shame if it comes to the first vision. Maybe looking at something else will improve what was previously thought which I feel anyone should go for. Even for myself in my art where my first “vision” seems like a great idea but deep down I don’t feel it to be true. Doing more research or getting more inspiration makes me see another “vision” where it feels much truer to what I would like to attempt when creating a piece of work. I definitely experiment and journey and multiple directions to find something better or stronger to add that I would have missed if I went with my first vision.
Though the validity of the “first vision” as definitive isn’t a bad thing either to really push artists out there and finally make that step to sticking with that plan firmly.
As an artist, I like to experiment, because it can be very surprising artwork at the end. As an Art Historian, my definition of the first vision is that the first vision of artwork makes the whole perception of the artwork. Despite this, an artist can create a first vision again by taking a break from looking at his/hers/theirs artwork. Looking at artwork after a gap of time makes it look like a new artwork and our eye and brain see it with a brand new vision.
As an art student, I’ll have to disagree with Ryder. Many times have I been proven wrong that my first idea is the best as I have had to go back to the drawing board and rework my idea or scrap it. There have also been times where I think of something amazing just for me to forget what it was before having the chance of writing or sketching what it was! I have found that some ideas come from mistakes I’ve made that make the piece better even though unintentionally. To be able to have a clear, solid vision in your mind and be able to transfer the exact image on paper means that is just experience. If Ryder were to teach that to art students, then they would have a harder time to have solid visions. Since Ryder is more focused on originality above anything else, I’m not too sure that is something to worry about in today’s standards as there are art trends where the same things is drawn but in one’s own style. People are not so concerned about originality so much as style and personality a piece has.
While the first vision can often be the foundation of a piece, it is not absolute. I believe that through the process of making art the piece can evolve. I have never personally purely stuck to an initial vision. Instead, my piece evolves as I become inspired in-between working on it or if it does not turn out how I envisioned it initially. Some may find that staying true to their “first vision” is the only valid form of creating. However, I find that allowing myself the room to let a piece become something new, to evolve into something I didn’t see coming, to be rewarding. I can become frustrated if I set parameters for myself that limit my ability to let an artwork develop as I continue to work on it. While my art may not represent a concrete “first vision” oftentimes it is a version of this vision. Additionally, my initial idea for a piece may be more of a color scheme or a feeling rather than a definitive image, allowing me the room to work with and mold it into my vision.
In my experiences, I don’t always assume the first idea is the best idea. I do have some cases where the first idea is so close to what I want the final product to be that the changes are minimal, but in almost every assignment there has been changes. I think the “first vision” could be definitive for some people depending on how they work, but for me I always try to experiment and find different solutions because I find that sometimes the best solutions are things opposite of what you would expect it to be. However, I would love to be someone who can take the “first vision” and have it as my final as well, haha.
In my own artwork, I usually work off of my first idea, although not in the way one would normally go about things. I work off of an abstract idea and build out my artwork as I go, making changes and decisions as they happen. I do agree that the first idea is perhaps the most important one, but I also believe that the first idea should not be concentered the best option. Innovation on ideas must be made in order to make art.
As someone with a studio emphasized-major, I initially wanted this “first vision” to be the final resulting product of all of my work. As time and experience went on, I come to find myself putting out multiple ideas first. I get down multiple mini-sketches and studies, and when it comes to my monotype printmaking processes, I make multiple editions. I experiment with multiple colors and a variety of media to get the desired effect I am ultimately looking for. Many times, this is a one-of-a-kind picture since it is a monotype. Now, as I am merging digital and traditional media, I find the flexibility of digital art benefitting my work. I can easily delete an entire layer and begin with a whole new sketch concept, or I can keep them both and decide later. I think the idea of the first vision is definitely non-definitive, as artists we must learn to be open to learning and adaptation. Nothing should be concrete and set in stone on a whim. Time and energy must be dedicated to exploring different ideas. This is how artists experiment and learn to grow, and this is how artists become comfortable in developing their own style.
This is fascinating; as an interior architecture student, I think the primary thought or idea is normally a decent hopping point to start the excursion/interaction of stooping. However, I believe, I will in general try different things with various dreams and headings. I can comprehend why a first vision approach could be useful, it very well may be to a greater degree a hunch, yet actually in my own artwork I like to take various ways and bearings to perceive what happens to it. Exploring different avenues regarding various styles and thoughts assists me with assembling a superior picture for my work.
When it comes to my own artwork, I typically just go with my gut and work off on the first idea that comes into mind. However, I do not usually go through the typical planning out process where I work on thumbnails, color compositions, etc.; I just jump right into it. However, when I do plan everything out, I do happen to like the final pieces better so I am trying to go through the process even more and put more thought into it which is why I think while jumping right into it is fine, things come out a lot better when you plan it.
The idea of the “First Idea” feels a little rigid to me. One of the first things that I learned when I got into architecture school was the phrase “Learn to kill your babies” essentially telling designers and artists to not be too attached to the first thing they think of and to not be afraid to experiment or change it altogether. Personally, I’m a more experimental designer. It always feels like my works have to be at least iterative or I’ll die. And even if you stick to the first idea you think of, it will go to such a lengthy process that it would be unrecognizable by the end. Inspiration doesn’t just come at a single point in time but is rather a cumulative experience and that’s how art can develop. It doesn’t have to be planned, exploration can be as spontaneous as desired.
As soon as I get tasked with an art assignment, I usually have an idea immediately and I stick with it. My stubbornness is a key characteristic of my personality. I also like to believe that my initial idea to a problem or prompt, is what is most try to my authentic self. The first thing that pops into my head is usually based around my personal experiences, way of looking at life, and my interests. Usually when I go off this idea, it’s really unique and purely me. When I overthink, I’m considering what other people may think or like, and that dilutes my vision that was purely my authentic self.
I feel that your first vision can also be improved with thinking, without the idea being entirely altered or changed. We can build off an idea without completely changing, and I believe that’s the concept of growth.
The first vision is the catalyst to my pieces, but I very much produce intuitively and the final piece ofter evolves quite a bit during the making phases. I have made pieces where the entire vision was sketched out ahead of time and the process was just an assembly line for getting that done, but this style of working is more rare for me. I would rather just fly by the seat of the pants, and in a lot ways, making like this takes the pressure off because it eliminates disappointment.
As with a lot of things I think there are time when my first vision works out the best and others where editing and refining that first vision leads to a better result. I think any creative has had those moment of creative clarity when they suddenly get a new idea, get it out, and it just immediately feels finished. I know a few stories about songs produced by singers and rappers that go like this; suddenly get an idea from a track and recite all the lyrics in one go off the top of their head.Although, I think limiting a person to creating works either way is not the way to view or make art. Great results can come from either method, so limiting one’s creative process can have just as many cons as it does pros when it comes to output.
For me, I would say that the first vision isn’t what counts, but it is always good as a jumping-off point. In the realm of art and especially when it comes to commissions, the client is not always going to see the vision you see and of course, their opinion is money on the table.
So in that sense I think it is good for the artist to have an idea that serves as a solid foundation while still being flexible enough to accept critique and change.
Something that I often think of is something a teacher of mine once said to me in middle school: “your first reaction is probably the right one,” in regards to thinking of answers for a test or quiz. I think about this a lot, because a more common saying from teachers is, “Is your first idea always your best idea?” Given this, I think there’s always a push and pull when I am coming up with concepts for a work. I value my gut reaction, but understand that it can be refined or changed, especially once the process of making the work begins.
Sometimes, it feels like the first idea is so powerful that no changes should be made and that is a pure piece of art in itself. Looking at it in that perspective, however, means that it would really only work on occasion. I do not feel like the first idea is always the best. I once had a painting that incorporated synthetic flowers as a three dimensional element. The painting that I painted in it I had resented basically the day I painted it. I kept that painting for years on my wall. Recently, I took it off my wall and took inspiration from it. I had painted over the original and completely reinvented the idea in a better way. My ideas are muddy most of the time. So when I have opportunities to make them better, that seems like a good day to me. With that, I am not denoting the fact that the first idea/image cannot be the best version of itself, because it does happen occasionally. What I am saying is as we grow and develop, some of our previous works can be improved, even when brainstorming ideas or sketches.
I disagree completely in the definitiveness of a first version. I think that the first version of a work, or the initial response, is most important for the sake of a foundation, but I would not say it’s near perfect. Perfection is not in how close to the initial vision it is, but instead how polished and finalized the piece is. This is something you see a lot in character design, going from something that may be overdesigned, under designed, out of place, etc. to something that feels final. Sometimes the final version is better, sometimes it is worse. This is a case-by-case basis. The only way you will know for sure is via exploration. I think experimentation is vital and can lead to the best final work. I think this “gospel” mentality is very flawed.
As for my artwork, I tend to go with working in different directions and find better solutions because that truly gets my work to flow better. For the “first vision”, I do not completely agree with it because not everything that comes to mind at the start will be what that “perfect image” will be, because in my eyes I see that projects should take time and never be rushed. Personally, that is just how I have always viewed it since you can never rush art.
In my own experience with making art, I tend to stick with my first idea and it often works. I feel that this may be because I am simply trusting my gut rather than overthinking and overwhelming myself with multiple ideas at once. I tend to think more clearly when going with my “first vision” of a solution for any problem. This does not mean I’m not open to feedback. In fact, I think feedback tends to be one of the most helpful parts of the design process. While experimenting with different ideas often helps, I sometimes end up feeling that my first idea would have worked even better. At the end of the day, I think that art should be an intuitive process. This means that one who believes that their first gut reaction is the best solution to a problem should feel free to go through with it. If not, then one can modify their first vision as they see fit in order to create something better.
In discussing the validity of the “first vision” in my own work I have to toe a very fragile line, which is that I am often inspired by many other ideas and artists and may accidentally plagiarize in my first vision. I completely do not intend this, but I feel that creating something original becomes increasingly harder as phones and social media develop, because I find myself being exposed to thousands of images a day, and I do catch myself trying to make something original but finding out it was inspired by something I saw earlier in the day. Going back to the question at hand, I think that revision is always necessary in art. My best projects are things that I have taken a few days or even a few months away from so that my mind can process what I should add in the background. Theres even studies that show that if you are stuck on a particularly hard puzzle in a video game, your mind will problem solve while you sleep and you can come back and complete the puzzle. I find all of this to be the same in art, and if you want to create a good piece I would say that you should always revise, no matter the purity of the first vision.