If you have to explain your art, it isn’t working. However, just because you refuse to explain your art doesn’t mean it’s good. This sort of the difference between career and passion, I think.
“I cannot paint portraits (if only I could). / Nor can I sculpt objects in marble or wood. / So I merely paint blobs or fling drops on the face / Of a blank canvas to fill up the space, / And criticize you when you say it’s no good!”
BE THIS GUY almost 5 years ago
Hey, plenty of Henry Moore’s works are monochromatic.
The Calvinosaurus That Calvin Wanted To Discover almost 5 years ago
I bet that philistine on the sidewalk isn’t laughing anymore.
Templo S.U.D. almost 5 years ago
I doubt Calvin is going to ask his mother for the food coloring.
Kaputnik almost 5 years ago
If being an artist doesn’t work out, he can be an art critic.
codycab almost 5 years ago
All these big words that Calvin uses and he still gets "F"s?
Aliquid almost 5 years ago
He may struggle academically at school, but when it comes to Philosophy or Art Calvin is pretty advanced.
favm almost 5 years ago
Had to look oeuvre in the dictionary.
sirbadger almost 5 years ago
Is Hobbes saying that it would look better with a little bit of yellow? It looks like a cyclops owl.
orinoco womble almost 5 years ago
Winter is Calvin’s White Period.
Packratjohn Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Surrounded by black and white nature, think Ansel Adams.
Bilan almost 5 years ago
Translation for those that don’t speak artist: I don’t know what it is. I was hoping you could tell me.
Auntie Socialist almost 5 years ago
Charlie Brown once did a modernist snowman sculpture
Purple People Eater almost 5 years ago
“Abstract” is just an excuse for people who can’t create real art.
jrankin1959 almost 5 years ago
Don’t tell him about food coloring…
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
If you have to explain your art, it isn’t working. However, just because you refuse to explain your art doesn’t mean it’s good. This sort of the difference between career and passion, I think.
Who, me? almost 5 years ago
I like abstraction, especially in Calvin’s snow art. Panel three shows the “pure form” Watterson strives for in his Calvin and Hobbes comics.
donwalter almost 5 years ago
The “genius” that is Hobbes should have an accent over the letter “e”
A Hip loving Canadian... almost 5 years ago
Frank Zappa will teach you all you need to know about yellow snow.
well-i-never almost 5 years ago
One of my favorites! I’ve got 27 below this morning at 7:30 and that snow is not packin’. Ffffffahrenheit!
Barnabus Blackoak almost 5 years ago
you could work with ‘yellow’ snow…..
Bookworm almost 5 years ago
The Abstractionist’s Lament:
“I cannot paint portraits (if only I could). / Nor can I sculpt objects in marble or wood. / So I merely paint blobs or fling drops on the face / Of a blank canvas to fill up the space, / And criticize you when you say it’s no good!”
WCraft Premium Member almost 5 years ago
What child -let alone what adult – talks that way? I love the kid!
carlzr almost 5 years ago
Is this the beginning of Calvin’s artistic career?
j.l.farmer almost 5 years ago
i need a dictionary to understand this one!
bethib almost 5 years ago
hilarious….love it.
Bruce388 almost 5 years ago
With that level of discourse, along with that vocabulary, no wonder Calvin is bored out of his skull at school.
BiggerNate91 almost 5 years ago
Only this strip would ever say something like “I notice your oeuvre is monochromatic.”
DondiDoo almost 5 years ago
Invite a dog for a viewing. The yellow streak can represent the random indignities of life.
chimpulis almost 5 years ago
I am going with Hobbes. Calvin’s art did not reflect his shady character. A very honest acceptance by Watterson.
DCBakerEsq almost 5 years ago
Use the yellow snow for a dash of color.
Pteranodon almost 5 years ago
I love Hobbes’ response in panel 2. Yeah, Hobbes buddy. Been there, said that.
anomaly almost 5 years ago
It’s always fun to hear the simple unrefined way kids talk.
Numbnumb almost 5 years ago
Drat! I have NO idea what the heck they are talking about!!!!
johnec almost 5 years ago
Real artists NEVER apologize for their artistic expression – and always claim any limitations in media as part of the artistic expression.
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Tigers have little tolerance for monochromatism.
Brian Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I’ve been waiting for this one. The “oeuvre is monochromatic” comment is so out of left field.
Grimmwood900 almost 5 years ago
Calvin has strong verbal and visuospatial skills but is poor at single-digit arithmetic. There is no place for him in this world.
RobertLawton almost 5 years ago
ŒUVRE not OEUVRE
hagarthehorrible almost 5 years ago
Thanks bill for increasing by vocab library.
sugordon almost 5 years ago
I took a 20th century art class in college. Yes, they really do talk this way