How to paint, in new idea

[Julie Deane]

Maybe the river has significance. It is the medium for fishing and it divides the two groups.

Okay, SB - I have done what I can to interpret this painting. I would be interested in knowing what was the artist's intention.

[SB Wang]

Allan and Jullie:
Both of you are in the right direction! Both won ten points.
Ren Bishi is a leader characterized by his keeping calm at critical moment.
Maybe the phrase of "not in a flurried manner" is better than "no
hurry" in expressing its intended meaning. There may have ten points one can analyze.
For instance, in ancient Chinese artwork , we can see many similar paintings: a sole figure fishing, in which it shows: aloof from the masses, and avoiding chaotic society or vanity of material world. On the contrary, this is a new person in big time.As men with guns, they'll change the world. Connecting to the masses is their lifeline,i.e., friendship. In another mollifying aspect of this work, they lived in collective life in war time communism. For instance, soldiers are not too far away.
When I say "when the enemy is close", I didn't mean that the situation is showing on this painting. So maybe the soldier (mainly for compositional purpose)and the river have significance, but they are only secondary.
There is a Chinese idiom related to fishing.
(Edited by Dr. James Yang, NJ)
__________________
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[SB Wang]

In real life, Ren was 32, the painting shows over 60. The Artist have to use a familiar but old looking image, a standard portrait ,( for a period of time). Ren wears shorts in the Long March in summer. The artist changed that, too. The color is amazing, not copying reality but better than reality.
The artistic truth doesn't equal to reality. Art should be stronger, more concentrated, more typical.
When one said "no hurry", he might consider that action at that moment and place only. But the artist, making use of a scene at this time and place, intend to show his lifetime character.

http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=us...il&p=ren+bishi

[Michele Rushworth]

Thank you for this comment, SB. It sums up what I've been trying to clarify for myself for some time.

the artistic truth doesn't equal to reality. Art should be stronger, more concentrated, more typical.

[SB Wang]

What can we inspire from sharpening a knife?

[Allan Rahbek]

SB,
Something that is indeed inspiring is to try to view things from a new angle. That could be to try to understand another persons point of view and the history behind it.

You present so many interesting opinions and angles on the field of painting for which I would like to thank you.

I realize that there are things that I don`t understand. This may partly have to do with my limited understanding of the English language, but I practice learning by doing, so... and rely on the spel check.

About the knife:

A knife is a tool, as is the brain. Sharpening means making it fit for use.
Also the act of sharpening is a meditation period that will help to concentrate and focus on the act of using the knife / brain.

To be ready or punctual care.

Allan

[SB Wang]

Thanks, Allan:
Very good start point.
By searching of "sword", I found a poem...not a formal reply to this post.:
http://martincartoons.com/poem3.htm