In Splendido by Bernie Fuchs, the scene is warm, inviting, and has the appeal of a festive gathering that you want to be part of.

I typically don’t carry around a sketchbook, but during this time of year I could make an exception. There is so much going on, and it seems like everywhere I look there’s a composition  waiting to be found. Just yesterday I went for a walk, and the sight of a little girl tugging demandingly on her father’s pant leg, pointing to a 14-foot Christmas tree with an "I want!" look on her face was just begging to be captured. Later, two dapper gentlemen sitting on the subway in matching business suits, horn-rim glasses, and camel-colored trench coats looked as though they could have stepped right out of a painting.

	San Miguel Courthouse by Bernie Fuchs is an example of an everyday scene with the makings of a great painting composition.

Recognizing a compelling composition is the first step we all take when fleshing out an idea for a painting or drawing, and going through the rigors of how to interpret the scene takes time. But an artist also has to be ready to strategize and think about how your interpretation will evince the kind of dynamism and power you are after.

That power to project a concept or idea in your work comes down to not letting skill become a barrier between what you want to say and how you are able to say it. I think that is why so many artists focus on foundational skills such as drawing mastery. The pendulum swings both ways—innovative ideas inform skill; skill allows you to execute your vision.

To that end you need to be able to utilize resources that are worthwhile, so that the time you spend sharpening your skills is time well spent. Anatomy for the Artist, Language of Drawing, and Sketchbook for the Artist are crucial assets for any artist, and each was handpicked by the editors of American Artist and Artist Daily for our online store because we think the instruction is of the highest quality, and the author-artists are some of the best in their field. They expand on such ideas as gesture drawing, sketching, and how to evaluate a model or figure’s position in a compelling way, among others. These guides can help you take your art to the next level, so that wherever you look to find inspiration, you’ll have the skill to match that creative impulse.

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