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 over 4 years ago
Hey, plenty of Henry Moore’s works are monochromatic.
The Calvinosaurus That Calvin Wanted To Discover over 4 years ago
I bet that philistine on the sidewalk isn’t laughing anymore.
Templo S.U.D. over 4 years ago
I doubt Calvin is going to ask his mother for the food coloring.
Kaputnik over 4 years ago
If being an artist doesn’t work out, he can be an art critic.
codycab over 4 years ago
All these big words that Calvin uses and he still gets "F"s?
Aliquid over 4 years ago
He may struggle academically at school, but when it comes to Philosophy or Art Calvin is pretty advanced.
favm over 4 years ago
Had to look oeuvre in the dictionary.
sirbadger over 4 years ago
Is Hobbes saying that it would look better with a little bit of yellow? It looks like a cyclops owl.
orinoco womble over 4 years ago
Winter is Calvin’s White Period.
Packratjohn Premium Member over 4 years ago
Surrounded by black and white nature, think Ansel Adams.
Bilan over 4 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 over 4 years ago
Charlie Brown once did a modernist snowman sculpture
Purple People Eater over 4 years ago
“Abstract” is just an excuse for people who can’t create real art.
jrankin1959 over 4 years ago
Don’t tell him about food coloring…
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 4 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? over 4 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 over 4 years ago
The “genius” that is Hobbes should have an accent over the letter “e”
A Hip loving Canadian... over 4 years ago
Frank Zappa will teach you all you need to know about yellow snow.
well-i-never over 4 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 over 4 years ago
you could work with ‘yellow’ snow…..
Bookworm over 4 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 over 4 years ago
What child -let alone what adult – talks that way? I love the kid!
carlzr over 4 years ago
Is this the beginning of Calvin’s artistic career?
j.l.farmer over 4 years ago
i need a dictionary to understand this one!
bethib over 4 years ago
hilarious….love it.
Bruce388 over 4 years ago
With that level of discourse, along with that vocabulary, no wonder Calvin is bored out of his skull at school.
BiggerNate91 over 4 years ago
Only this strip would ever say something like “I notice your oeuvre is monochromatic.”
DondiDoo over 4 years ago
Invite a dog for a viewing. The yellow streak can represent the random indignities of life.
chimpulis over 4 years ago
I am going with Hobbes. Calvin’s art did not reflect his shady character. A very honest acceptance by Watterson.
DCBakerEsq over 4 years ago
Use the yellow snow for a dash of color.
Pteranodon over 4 years ago
I love Hobbes’ response in panel 2. Yeah, Hobbes buddy. Been there, said that.
anomaly over 4 years ago
It’s always fun to hear the simple unrefined way kids talk.
Numbnumb over 4 years ago
Drat! I have NO idea what the heck they are talking about!!!!
johnec over 4 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 over 4 years ago
Tigers have little tolerance for monochromatism.
Brian Premium Member over 4 years ago
I’ve been waiting for this one. The “oeuvre is monochromatic” comment is so out of left field.
Grimmwood900 over 4 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 over 4 years ago
ŒUVRE not OEUVRE
hagarthehorrible over 4 years ago
Thanks bill for increasing by vocab library.
sugordon over 4 years ago
I took a 20th century art class in college. Yes, they really do talk this way