![iconographer miron keurec iconographer miron keurec](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/f9/9d/4a/f99d4a090249c127e94b281631b4a422--tea-station-magnolia-wreath.jpg)
Since I read that article and wrote the comment, I started reading a book called The Art of Seeing: Paradox and Perception in Orthodox Iconography by Fr. A painting should not need an essay to explain itself. To emphasize critical thinking when teaching painting is to dissect its soul.
![iconographer miron keurec iconographer miron keurec](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/9f/0e/6e/9f0e6e1a2c856ff0cebe078d8130c02d--saint-nicolas-holland.jpg)
The process of expression through painting (rather than using ready-made computer images) is an experience that enhances whatever the original idea behind the painting was and transforms both the painter and the viewer at a visceral, as well as, at an intellectual and spiritual level. Technique is important for articulate expression as well as the longevity of the art. The painting materials and fundamentals of composition and color theory are the vocabulary. However even the best well thought out ideas/concepts still need to be expressed well. I think this was already beginning when I was in school at UT where it felt like only the idea behind the art was worthy of attention and painting techniques were not taught except by one “old-school” teacher. I agree with the points raised in this article regarding painting and how it is taught today. I wrote a comment about the article on my personal Facebook page, which follows: Recently I read an article about the way professors are teaching art at universities, and how they have adopted the critical thinking method used in other disciplines and applied it to teaching art.