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I just finished 50 pages from the book, Leonardo Da Vinci (b. 1452) by Walter Isaacson.
The famous artist and polymath.
There were many insights from his humble birth and early learning days.
Here are the 5 things I learned so far
[THREAD]
#geniusnotes
![I just finished 50 pages from the book, Leonardo Da Vinci (b. 1452) by Walter Isaacson.The famous artist and polymath.There were many insights from his humble birth and early learning days. Here are the 5 things I learned so far [THREAD] #geniusnotes](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Er5fNzqW4AErf05.jpg "I just finished 50 pages from the book, Leonardo Da Vinci (b. 1452) by Walter Isaacson.The famous artist and polymath.There were many insights from his humble birth and early learning days. Here are the 5 things I learned so far [THREAD] #geniusnotes")
The famous artist and polymath.
There were many insights from his humble birth and early learning days.
Here are the 5 things I learned so far
[THREAD]
#geniusnotes
1) Art is a Science
Leonardo wasn't just a painter. He was very much interested in engineering and geometry.
He used this math and science to add a realistic perspective to his paintings—a common practice at the time.
He also observed how humans, plants, and animals moved
Leonardo wasn't just a painter. He was very much interested in engineering and geometry.
He used this math and science to add a realistic perspective to his paintings—a common practice at the time.
He also observed how humans, plants, and animals moved
in nature to make his art as realistic to these as possible.
This showed me that great art is never just art. You don't solely rely on your creative brain.
You use strategy and look at the details to create impactful work. You see your art under a microscope.
This showed me that great art is never just art. You don't solely rely on your creative brain.
You use strategy and look at the details to create impactful work. You see your art under a microscope.
2) Mentorship and Collaboration is Important
Although Leonardo only had a youth education, he was sent to become an apprentice for a skilled and popular artist.
Through this training, he learned about the basics of painting, how to draw realistic clothing, and get
Although Leonardo only had a youth education, he was sent to become an apprentice for a skilled and popular artist.
Through this training, he learned about the basics of painting, how to draw realistic clothing, and get
expert feedback.
He was allowed to co-create with his mentor.
This experience helped him improve his skills at a much faster rate than if he was forced to learn on his own.
Having such a supportive learning environment helps you better fix mistakes and even surpass your mentor
He was allowed to co-create with his mentor.
This experience helped him improve his skills at a much faster rate than if he was forced to learn on his own.
Having such a supportive learning environment helps you better fix mistakes and even surpass your mentor
3) Having Diverse Interests is Inspiring
Although Leonardo loved to draw, he was a big fan of theatre, architecture, engineering, body anatomy, and nature.
He wasn't a specialist in these topics, but he enjoyed learning about them. It's through these experiences that he became
Although Leonardo loved to draw, he was a big fan of theatre, architecture, engineering, body anatomy, and nature.
He wasn't a specialist in these topics, but he enjoyed learning about them. It's through these experiences that he became
more detail-oriented in his work.
Anatomy helped him better draw the human body and its imperfections. Theatre helped create a movement effect in his paintings. Architecture helped him create realistic backgrounds and objects.
I'm a big supporter of you becoming a specialist
Anatomy helped him better draw the human body and its imperfections. Theatre helped create a movement effect in his paintings. Architecture helped him create realistic backgrounds and objects.
I'm a big supporter of you becoming a specialist
for business and skill development reasons. However, it's ok to separate yourself from your work and experience the life around you.
Have some hobbies. Read fiction and watch movies. You might find your next big idea.
Have some hobbies. Read fiction and watch movies. You might find your next big idea.
4) Develop Your Own Voice and Style
Leonardo didn't become Leonardo by trying to copy someone else or fit a certain standard.
He was committed to his vision.
When he started, he did reference his mentor's work. But after he learned the rules, he then broke them.
Leonardo didn't become Leonardo by trying to copy someone else or fit a certain standard.
He was committed to his vision.
When he started, he did reference his mentor's work. But after he learned the rules, he then broke them.
He added another layer to existing painting practice. He tried to make 2-D art look at 3-D as possible.
I recommend that y'all do the same. Don't be afraid to express your individuality in your work.
Showcase your personality and vision. Make an old rule better or different.
I recommend that y'all do the same. Don't be afraid to express your individuality in your work.
Showcase your personality and vision. Make an old rule better or different.
5) Never Stop Being a Student
Ever since he was a child, Leonardo had this curiosity about life. He wanted to why animals moved and why humans did what they did.
He would create experiments with his dawings. He approached life with an intellectual curiosity that he wanted
Ever since he was a child, Leonardo had this curiosity about life. He wanted to why animals moved and why humans did what they did.
He would create experiments with his dawings. He approached life with an intellectual curiosity that he wanted
answers to.
This is an attitude most of us lose as we get older.
Our curiosity and questions tend to die in our childhood. We become too scared to fail.
However, failure isn't a bad thing. We should treat them as learning opportunities to become greater and better.
This is an attitude most of us lose as we get older.
Our curiosity and questions tend to die in our childhood. We become too scared to fail.
However, failure isn't a bad thing. We should treat them as learning opportunities to become greater and better.
So that's it y'all. That's what I learned so far. See y'all in the next 50 pages.
