Photorealism - what's your opinion? - Page 3

Heidi Maiers · 11-08-2005, 07:46 PM

What a shame. I bet he could get in now by submitting some of his life works from the class. I think he would have some very valuable insight to offer this forum and would fit right in.

Obviously if he is paying for a class with Marvin, he has a high interest in traditional portraiture.

Steven Sweeney · 11-08-2005, 08:22 PM

I suspect that that was the most likely reason. The focus here is intentionally turned to traditional portraiture (including sculpture) -- the sort of works you can see in Cynthia's galleries from the SOG main page -- and even within those limits, there's already a breadth of styles and procedures and issues that taxes and sometimes overwhelms the energies and availability of folks who can offer useful, professional feedback. And the techniques of airbrushing are so highly specialized that, surely, anyone seeking instruction in them would seek out a site or forum dedicated to that practice.

It would be unfortunate, nonetheless, if the lack of a match between submissions and this Forum's focus engendered any hard feelings. Though I know that happens, I also know that every indulgence is given by many volunteers to bringing in new artists who are well on their way to mastering the fundamentals of portraiture and the business of portraiture, as well as experienced portrait practitioners who can (and, as importantly, will) lend insights and instruction, with the unwavering goal of shepherding sincere aspirants into the business. It's the Forum's only purpose. Frustratingly, many of the most talented applicants do not actively contribute to or participate in the Forum after acceptance, beyond posting a sampling of their portfolios. It's a difficult balancing act, deciding where to invest the administrators' resources.

In any event, if Dru is as good with a bristle brush as is being reported -- and there's no reason to doubt it -- I'm sure that submissions geared to this Forum would be very welcome.

Carol Norton · 11-08-2005, 09:41 PM

Well, frankly, I DON'T GET IT. Why not blow up a photograph? At my very intollerant, older age (67), I get to my own bottom line instantly.... so here it is....WHY BOTHER??? Just blow up a photograph and be done with it.

Painting someone's portrait involves perception, skill, etc.etc. .... and the energy of the artist. PR to me is just one of those things that I see as "Just get over it!"

SO, I'm not a a diplomat. So...who cares. Painting involves such an enormous amount of physical, spiritual, perceptual, intellectual .... ...... oh my goodness... and on and on qualities that to do a painting that is a PR ... sorry, no room for interest or excuses. This business is way too difficult to give kudos to that kind of stuff. So be it.

Disclaimer: No, I'm not in the Special Forces.

Geary Wootten · 11-08-2005, 11:08 PM

Heidi, my friend, thanks so much for bringing this in. I, too, am a textile/ auto/ motorcycle airbrusher. I've been doing it off and on for years. In fact, I still do them occasionally in my sign and graphic business. I have appreciated all the great airbrush Icons since the 70s and mostly in the 80 through early 90s when these T-shirt guys were in their heyday. Let's see...there was Dru Blair's airborne depictions, Terry Hill and his muscle cars, Pat Gaines who started the largest chain of airbrush stores in America, and of course the very famous "Jurek". Jurek was a smash hit with his "full bleed" celeb portraits, hot chicks and of course the big cats (tigers being a specialty) and he's still is going strong today. His website is http://www.jurek-art.com/

My personal take on photorealism is that it is a great way to learn where all the details are supposed to go...literally. The thing I think is compelling is when guys that have this knowledge can learn to "fuzzy up" the edges a bit more and don't try to put in all that background stuff can really create a beautiful portrait of anything...figurative or otherwise.

So....I think that knowledge of all the traditional training together with the immense amount of visual data from a photo is very viable and still very interesting to view....when done well.....of course....like anything in life! haha!

~Gear

Henry Wienhold · 11-10-2005, 12:41 AM

A great artist, beautiful work, outstanding achievement, but it leaves me cold.

I think most people when commissioning a portrait, or viewing great portraiture they want to see and feel that human touch in the painting, that unique indescribable warmth thats transfered from brush to canvas. They look for what is difficult to put into words. The hand painted portrait communicates it all in a split second, no words are required.

Claudemir Bonfim · 11-10-2005, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Sweeney

In any event, if Dru is as good with a bristle brush as is being reported -- and there's no reason to doubt it -- I'm sure that submissions geared to this Forum would be very welcome.

Yes Steven,
I think if Dru is just 50% that good with a bristle brush it would already be a great accomplishment, and I'd like to see his pencil works too.

Steven Sweeney · 11-10-2005, 11:37 AM

As something of a bookend or at least a place marker here, if this thread isn't played out now, I believe that in the interest of fairness and decorum it ought to continue only as a discussion of the genre of photorealism and not of any individual practitioners, particularly those absent from the discussion.

In retrospect, my own effort in this regard was insufficient and counterproductive, as by trying to give the artist the benefit of the doubt, I unwittingly just kept his name in play, when the focus should have been on the work itself.

We learn by doing, and sometimes by re-doing.

(And sometimes by do-be-doing.)