“The more technique you have, the less you have to worry about it. The more technique there is, the less there is.”
- October 25, 1881 – April 8, 1973
- Born in Spain
- Painter, sculptor, printmaker
- Founder of Cubism, he had a revolutionary influence on 20th century art, leaving behind masterpieces such as “Guernica”
Quote
“The more technique you have, the less you have to worry about it. The more technique there is, the less there is.”
Explanation
In this quote, Picasso reflects on the relationship between technical skill and creative freedom. He suggests that mastery of technique allows an artist to move beyond thinking about the mechanics of their craft and focus entirely on the expression and emotion they want to convey. When an artist is highly skilled, the act of creation becomes more intuitive and fluid, freeing them from the constraints of technique. Picasso himself was a master of multiple artistic styles, and his ability to experiment freely with forms such as Cubism and Surrealism was rooted in his deep technical foundation. The paradox in his statement, “the more technique there is, the less there is,” underscores his belief that excessive focus on technical prowess can sometimes distract from the true spirit of the work.
This perspective is significant in modern times, where there is often a heavy emphasis on learning and refining technical skills before stepping into more experimental or abstract realms of creativity. Picasso’s words suggest that while technique is important, it should not become the focus of an artist’s work. The true value lies in expression and emotional depth, which can sometimes be stifled by an overemphasis on perfecting one’s craft. In today’s creative industries, this idea encourages artists, designers, and musicians to trust their instincts and not get bogged down by striving for perfection in technique, but rather to focus on what they want to say through their work.
An example of this can be seen in the music of Miles Davis, who was a virtuoso but often pushed the boundaries of jazz by improvising and letting go of strict technical rules in favor of emotional expression. Similarly, in contemporary visual art, artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat used raw, unrefined techniques to convey intense personal messages, showing that sometimes the most powerful works come not from technical expertise but from raw emotion and instinctive creativity. Picasso’s quote reminds us that once technique becomes second nature, the artist’s focus can shift to creating work that is truly innovative and authentic.
