RULES ! There are rules from day one. If I want to make a painting or write story someone will always tell me the RIGHT WAY.All the rules do is slow me down and get in the way of creativity and self expression. Of course there are rules that protect other people or property or protect us from ourselves. I am not talking about laws. I am talking about painting fat over lean or lean over fat, "avoid detailed descriptions of characters" and eyes are not almonds.
When teaching, I always tell the class "there is no right way or wrong way to do anything but there are consequences." The paint may crack or the apples may seem to float above the table and if that is OK so be it. It is not wrong. It is just what happens.