--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you sit down to paint or draw, you…" description: "\"When you sit down to paint or draw, you form yourself into a posture of praise\" — Robert Genn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/robert-genn-2179_artist_when-you-sit-down-to-paint-or-draw-you-f_1109761.png" --- # When you sit down to paint or draw, you form yourself into… ![“When you sit down to paint or draw, you form yourself into a posture of praise” quote by Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/robert-genn-2179_artist_when-you-sit-down-to-paint-or-draw-you-f_1109761.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/robert-genn-2179_artist_when-you-sit-down-to-paint-or-draw-you-f_1109761.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/robert-genn-2179_artist_when-you-sit-down-to-paint-or-draw-you-f_1109761.png) > “When you sit down to paint or draw, you form yourself into a posture of praise” [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggests that creating art is an act of reverence and self‑expression **In simple terms:** Painting is a form of praise and self‑formation Key Takeaway Approach art with gratitude and presence Themes creativity mindfulness self‑expression Mood inspired calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal therapy - educational settings - community workshops Key Concepts artistic process spiritual practice Questions to Reflect On - How does gratitude change your creative process? - What posture helps you stay present while creating? A Different Perspective Art may feel burdensome without reverence ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Draws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/draws/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Paint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paint/) [Paint Draw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paint-draw-491340/) [Posture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/posture/) [Posture Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/posture-praise-2950644/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Sit Paint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sit-paint-747270/) ## Related quotes > [Throw away those little pieces of paper. Get yourself a big, beautiful canvas. Bring from this nature the most beautiful colors. Find the serene…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prem-rawat/throw-away-those-little-pieces-of-paper-get-yourself-a-big-beautiful/) [Prem Rawat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prem-rawat/) > [I paint; I draw and paint - I've been doing that since I was in third grade, drawing realistically and then changing to abstract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-paint-i-draw-and-paint-i-ve-been-doing-that-since-i-was-in-third/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [About 1883 something like a break occurred in my work. I had reached the end of 'impressionism,' and I had come to realize that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-auguste-renoir/about-1883-something-like-a-break-occurred-in-my-work-i-had-reached/) [Pierre-Auguste Renoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-auguste-renoir/) > [I had wrung impressionism dry and I finally came to the conclusion that I know neither how to paint nor how to draw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-auguste-renoir/i-had-wrung-impressionism-dry-and-i-finally-came-to-the-conclusion/) [Pierre-Auguste Renoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-auguste-renoir/) > [I paint and draw my heart and mind on paper. It makes me happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhumika-chawla/i-paint-and-draw-my-heart-and-mind-on-paper-it-makes-me-happy/) [Bhumika Chawla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhumika-chawla/) > [Drawing and color are by no means two different things. As you paint, you draw... When color is at its richest, form is at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-cezanne/drawing-and-color-are-by-no-means-two-different-things-as-you-paint/) [Paul Cezanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-cezanne/) > [I can paint and draw. I believe this myself and a few other people say that they believe this too. But I'm not certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustav-klimt/i-can-paint-and-draw-i-believe-this-myself-and-a-few-other-people-say/) [Gustav Klimt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustav-klimt/) > [Life is a one-way street, and if you could paint it. I'd draw myself going in the right direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gnarls-barkley/life-is-a-one-way-street-and-if-you-could-paint-it-i-d-draw-myself/) [Gnarls Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gnarls-barkley/) > [The painting world is awash with people who cannot paint. This is a condition that would not be tolerated in other professions such as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/the-painting-world-is-awash-with-people-who-cannot-paint-this-is-a/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Take your brush here and there like a bee in an alpine meadow. In other words, don't laboriously work on or try to finish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/take-your-brush-here-and-there-like-a-bee-in-an-alpine-meadow-in/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [It takes 25 years to learn to draw, one hour to learn to paint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-auguste-dominique-ingres/it-takes-25-years-to-learn-to-draw-one-hour-to-learn-to-paint/) [Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-auguste-dominique-ingres/) > [Drawing and color are not separate at all; in so far as you paint, you draw. The more color harmonizes, the more exact the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-cezanne/drawing-and-color-are-not-separate-at-all-in-so-far-as-you-paint-you/) [Paul Cezanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-cezanne/) > [ The class situation \[at Art Institute on Elmwood Avenue\] was such that one would be very much on their own to paint or draw.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-smith/the-class-situation-at-art-institute-on-elmwood-avenue-was-such-that/) [Paul Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-smith/) > [Draw and paint the subject the way you want it to be, not as it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-brommer/draw-and-paint-the-subject-the-way-you-want-it-to-be-not-as-it-is/) [Gerald Brommer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-brommer/) > [A work of art is itself an object, first of all, and so manipulation is unavoidable: it's a prerequisite. But I needed the greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/a-work-of-art-is-itself-an-object-first-of-all-and-so-manipulation-is/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) ## More by Robert Genn > [We artists give daily thanks for the miracle of our planet and for the inclination and the capability to honour it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/we-artists-give-daily-thanks-for-the-miracle-of-our-planet-and-for/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Most of my contemporary grant-getters are now doing something other than painting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/most-of-my-contemporary-grant-getters-are-now-doing-something-other/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Pushing yourself to extremes blows out the cobwebs of trusted habit. It shakes up what you know to be reliably safe and substitutes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/pushing-yourself-to-extremes-blows-out-the-cobwebs-of-trusted-habit/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Keep busy while you are waiting for something to happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/keep-busy-while-you-are-waiting-for-something-to-happen/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Art is a course in personal development that has no reliable diploma and no known end. The pursuit of art instructs in beauty as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/art-is-a-course-in-personal-development-that-has-no-reliable-diploma/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Great paintings have gradations, large and small... They serve to lift the subject off the two-dimensionality of the canvas. Gradations are an essential abstract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/great-paintings-have-gradations-large-and-small-they-serve-to-lift/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Take your brush here and there like a bee in an alpine meadow. In other words, don't laboriously work on or try to finish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/take-your-brush-here-and-there-like-a-bee-in-an-alpine-meadow-in/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Evolved creators are just as curious about their failures as they are of their successes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/evolved-creators-are-just-as-curious-about-their-failures-as-they-are/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Art is a path on which we honour our world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/art-is-a-path-on-which-we-honour-our-world/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [With repetition, the alternate approaches become clear, options open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/with-repetition-the-alternate-approaches-become-clear-options-open/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [When shucked and released from its edges, the windowless subject stands alone as its own thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/when-shucked-and-released-from-its-edges-the-windowless-subject/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Mountains in all their moods are symbols of something greater, something worth aspiring to. Mountains are powerful, dangerous, beautiful, noble and mysterious. Mountains get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/mountains-in-all-their-moods-are-symbols-of-something-greater/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Our bodies, apart from their brilliant role as drawing exercises, are the temples of our being. Like the bodies of all fauna, they deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/our-bodies-apart-from-their-brilliant-role-as-drawing-exercises-are/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [When I'm in the studio I often hunger for the road. And when away I long for the efficiency of the studio.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/when-i-m-in-the-studio-i-often-hunger-for-the-road-and-when-away-i/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [In life and art it's better to be an enthusiastic amateur than a jaded professional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/in-life-and-art-it-s-better-to-be-an-enthusiastic-amateur-than-a/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) [Explore all 181 Robert Genn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [Designers shouldn’t design for museums any more than mummies should die for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/designers-shouldn-t-design-for-museums-any-more-than-mummies-should/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) [Browse all 32,600 Artist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you sit down to paint or draw, you form yourself into a posture of praise", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Genn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/when-you-sit-down-to-paint-or-draw-you-form-yourself-into-a-posture/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Artist" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/when-you-sit-down-to-paint-or-draw-you-form-yourself-into-a-posture/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/robert-genn-2179_artist_when-you-sit-down-to-paint-or-draw-you-f_1109761.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/robert-genn-2179_artist_when-you-sit-down-to-paint-or-draw-you-f_1109761.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/409/robert-genn-2179_artist_when-you-sit-down-to-paint-or-draw-you-f_1109761.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you sit down to paint or draw, you form yourself into a posture of praise” — Robert Genn", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Robert Genn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When you sit down to paint...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/when-you-sit-down-to-paint-or-draw-you-form-yourself-into-a-posture/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/when-you-sit-down-to-paint-or-draw-you-form-yourself-into-a-posture/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```