“To draw you must close your eyes and sing.”
- 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
“To draw you must close your eyes and sing.”
Explanation
In this quote, Picasso suggests that the act of drawing—and, by extension, the act of creating art—requires a deep connection to the inner self rather than relying solely on external observation. By instructing one to “close your eyes,” Picasso emphasizes the importance of intuition, imagination, and emotion in the creative process. He equates drawing to an expressive act, akin to singing, where the artist must let go of rigid technicalities and embrace a freedom of thought and feeling. The idea of singing further suggests that drawing should be a natural, fluid, and harmonious activity, where the artist’s hand moves instinctively, guided by the flow of their creative energy rather than simply replicating the world around them.
This philosophy is particularly relevant in today’s art world, where there is often a tension between technical skill and emotional expression. Picasso’s statement encourages artists to embrace the emotional and expressive aspects of their craft, reminding them that art is not just about precision but about capturing the essence of a subject or feeling. In modern times, many artists push beyond traditional techniques to create art that is less about accurate representation and more about personal expression or symbolic interpretation.
An example of this can be seen in the work of abstract artists like Wassily Kandinsky, who believed that art could be a form of visual music, where colors and shapes communicate emotions in a way that words or forms cannot. Similarly, in contemporary art, many artists experiment with spontaneous, unplanned techniques, allowing their work to emerge organically, much like singing without a fixed melody. Picasso’s quote reminds us that the true power of art comes from the ability to connect to something beyond the literal, reaching into the realm of pure, unstructured expression.
