學畫，不一定要進美術學校或學院，這并不是說美術不需要由院校傳授。美術，如同其他藝術門類一樣，有“技”和“道”兩個層面，都可以通過學校加以培育，但這不是唯一的途徑。尤其當美術教育形成凝固、僵化的體系之后，對有才華的青年人的深造反而有害無益。再進一步說，不論繪畫中的“技”還是“道”，也是可以通過自學這條途徑獲得的。
自學者要取得成功，恐怕有兩個不可或缺的條件：一是天資，二是頑強的努力。天資之所以重要，因為這是基因，是人與生俱來的先天條件，十分寶貴。不過，如果認為一個人僅憑天賦便能成才，那是不現實的。后天的努力，勤奮、執著，鍥而不舍的追求，在成功的道路會起決定性的作用。
有機會看到李雄伊的繪畫作品，他是一位靠自學一步步地走進藝術的青年。從他的速寫、油畫人物和靜物看，他有敏銳的藝術感覺，能捕捉對象外在形和內在神的特征，線條流暢而富于變化，色調和諧而豐富，構圖也不落俗套、自有特色。特別引起我注意的是，雄伊在線、形和色彩等形式語言中，流露出自己熾熱的感情，這種感情出自內心，毫不矯飾，使人感到自然、親切。顯然，雄伊是一位有藝術天分和悟性的人。他通過觀摩前人的作品，通過自己的實踐，很快領悟到繪畫的基本原理，掌握了作畫的技巧，在作品中自由表達面對客觀自然的真實感受。
更讓人感動的是，李雄伊很勤奮，大概他在繪畫中尋找到了無窮的樂趣吧，他畫得那樣輕松自在！他還自覺不自覺地在探索各種表現方法，或迷戀于直觀的印象，或沉醉于幻想中的漫游，或發出哲理的思考……在他的作品中我們可以看到他純真、清徹而激動的心靈。
只要李雄伊不斷提高各方面的修養，永遠保持對自然和藝術的虔誠，他的繪畫前途是光明的，我認為。
文/ 邵大箴
2010年7月于慧谷寓所
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Innocence and passion——The paintings of Xiongyi Li
It is possible to become an artist without formal training and education. There are many skills that need to be developed to become a good painter. Painting, like other arts, has two levels, one is skill, and the other one is measurement. These skills can be taught at a formal art school or college. It is possible to learn certain skills to become a good artist. However, in fact the formal education may stifle the intrinsic creativity of a talent artist, especially when the Arts Education becomes a solidified and rigid system. The technical skills of composition, placement and color mixing can be learned in a formal Arts Education program or informally by yourself.
To be successful as an artist, it is essential that you possess both talent and persistence. The talent is something that great artists are born with; often you will hear the phrase “he was born to be an artist”. To become truly great, you cannot rely on talent alone, it is also important that you work hard and hone your talents. To hone your talents you must practice your talents and skills on a regular basis.
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Xiongyi Li is an artist who learned by self study, using a step by step learning guide to add skills to his naturally occurring talent. When you see Xiongyi Li’s paintings, you will observe that he has a keen sense of how to paint in a manner which captures the object’s shape and also the internal characteristics. His brush strokes create lines that are smooth and richly varied, the usage of colors are dramatic and yet harmonious at the same time. The composition of his painting is also unique and unconventional.
What attracted me the most were Xiongyi Li’s composition, lines and color choices which reflect his enthusiastic attitude towards life. These enthusiasms came from the heart without pretense, and come across as completely natural and friendly. Xiongyi Li has a natural talent and has proven himself as a savvy artist. Using the power of observation, he studied great works of previous artists and learned what great art looks like. He realized the basic principles and skills of drawing. Next he practiced his natural creative talents and developed it into a skill. His artwork reflects his own feelings for freedom and nature.
The important thing which makes me emotionally is that Xiongyi Li enjoys painting; when it is fun to do something it does not feel like hard work, it is more like playing. So when he is painting, he is having fun. He draws with such ease and it comes very natural to him. He is always sub-consciously exploring a variety of painting methods. From being obsessed with visual impression or indulging in fantasy art, or includes a measure of philosophy into his work. In his art, we can see his innocence and passion.
I think about that all the time. If he continues to do the following: continue training his natural born talents and maintain his creativity and heavenly-mindedness in nature and art, Xiongyi Li has a very bright future as a painter,
Dajian Shao
HuiGU Apartment
July, 2010
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