Photo or life?

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Photo.

[Steven Sweeney]

Imagination.

[Grethe Angen]

Both are great work in their own category. but I believe they have no quality of being work from life .So I am curious to know what you want to tell us, Dan?

[Richard Bingham]

Originally Posted by Dan Landrie

. . . Is this painting from life or from a photo . . .?

No intention of being churlish, but . . . "Who cares?"

Why is this important? The purpose and merits of any piece should stand on their own, and transcend the methods employed regardless of what they are.

For nearly 170 years now, artists (and the public) have been influenced by and have learned how to respond to images produced by the "one-eyed monster". The deficiencies and differences between the single camera lens, and the human perception process are well known to artists (or should be).

There are no short-cuts to learning the observational and manual skills required of rendering from life. One actually needs to be a relatively competent draftsman even to trace adequately from a photograph.

At least in my scheme of things, there is nothing better than working from the life in natural light. This is not always possible.

One may as well ask whether the paintings were done with natural hair brushes or synthetics . . .

[Michele Rushworth]

Why is this important? The purpose and merits of any piece should stand on their own, and transcend the methods employed regardless of what they are.

For nearly 170 years now, artists (and the public) have been influenced by and have learned how to respond to images produced by the "one-eyed monster". The deficiencies and differences between the single camera lens, and the human perception process are well known to artists (or should be).

There are no short-cuts to learning the manual skills required of rendering from life. One actually needs to be a relatively competent draftsman even to trace adequately from a photograph.

At least in my scheme of things, there is nothing better than working from the life in natural light. This is not always possible.

One may as well ask whether the paintings were done with natural hair brushes or synthetics . . .

I tend to agree. While everyone agrees that working from life is best, why does the source material matter if the resulting work of art is good?

[Steven Sweeney]

The photo vs. life threads always come to cross-purposes and burn out, almost always for the same reasons.

Anyone who can work from photo references (even poor ones) and produce excellent work is blessed indeed and should continue to do so and reap great fortune. They are gifted with an eye for life, even if they cannot always work from life. For some, the gift is natural, and for others, it follows from careful attention and practice in life settings.

The only time (for the most part) that it matters whether a work has been drawn from photographs is when it looks like it, and the artist doesn't realize it. That's the hazard, and I believe that's the problem 99% of the time when a photo reference issue comes up.

One other issue, which is rarely spoken of, is that the habit, the dependence upon references can sometimes leave one adrift, as the musician who cannot play at all if he hasn't any sheet music to read. The audience usually doesn't care whether the piece is played from written notation or from memory or through improvisation, if it sounds good. But in the musician's head, these are very different methods and meditations. Not "good" or "bad," just useful in different ways.

[Richard Bingham]

Originally Posted by Steven Sweeney

. . . it matters whether a work has been drawn from photographs is when it looks like it, and the artist doesn't realize it . . .

An excellent, cogent point!

Originally Posted by Steven Sweeney

One other issue, which is rarely spoken of, is that the habit, the dependence upon references can sometimes leave one adrift, as the musician who cannot play at all if he hasn't any sheet music to read . . .

I suppose dependence on references could then be extended to include working from a model, depending on the artist's need? For example, although Degas drew inspiration from observing the productions of the Paris Ballet which he attended regularly for many decades, there's no record he ever sketched or worked during performances. He did, however, pose models in his studio and combined the results of multiple poses to compose many of his paintings.

Development of visual memory was an important facet of academic training in the 19th century. In the public's imagination, "done from memory" continues to be a major qualifier that elevates the perceived worth of a lot of mediocre work simply by dint of the process alone . . . and so does "done from the life".

[Dan Landrie]

I really didn't have a point to this thread.
I've worked as an illustrator and in doing so became proficient at working from photos.
I was curious as to weather the artist on this forum could tell the difference between my work from life and that from photos. I actually thought it would be a fun diversion.
I also thought it would be a good way to display some of my works.
I didn't realize what I was getting into when Alexandra suggested I move the thread to this section.
I respect you all to much to ever revel whose right or wrong, so have fun and guess away.
by the way the celebrity post where done from photos, you'll have to guess the rest.
These next few will be my last post but feel free to post some of your own.

[Richard Bingham]

Gosh, Dan . . . I didn't think comments in this thread communicated "touchiness" on the subject.. I for one am not at all offended, and I'm grateful for the look at your work. Great stuff, I especially like the Letterman caricature.

To be sure, unless you have some incredible connections or opportunities, celebrity subjects would have to be from photo references.

I think some discussion topics get re-visited perennially because the exchanges often provide the participants with fresh insight even though there can never be resolution (like "What is art?"). Obviously I think this is one of 'em, or I wouldn't have posted. I also hope no one's upset or offended . . . it's sure not my intention to offend.

[Steven Sweeney]

We're getting lines crossed here -- this is to Richard's earlier post --

I don