RoR: Forum

Great use of color, light and shadow - great three-dimensionality and depth. Could have been a sculpture! And, of course, there's the symmetry, which your tutorial illustrated so well.

Impressive!

- Bill

Post 1

Friday, April 21, 2006 - 9:02pm

Enlightening tutorial! I love it when the artist allows me to understand his thinking, it always gives me an entirely new respect for the piece.

Now a question for Michael from a budding designer: It might be my untrained eye, but I'm not sure I would have seen rhythm in the work prior to the explanation (at least explicitly). Do you feel that the iconic nature of a portrait may detract from the main organizing principle of rhythm that I assume you are trying to convey?

Or does rhythm support and underlie the overall image...

Also, what does your architect friend think of the artwork?

Post 2

Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 3:59am

Thanks Michael, for this tutorial. Please let me paraphrase.

"Rhythm, One Essence of Life"

Life's rhythms are made up of similar or complimentary angles, contours or lines. Be on the lookout for shapes and lights that could double as your main element. As you work and work, constantly look over the whole, don't get lost in the details. Keep searching for that main element.

It was vey exciting for me to see your work, hear your guiding words and suddenly "eurika !" be struck by another layer of meaning and understanding. You get my award for teacher of the month, Michael. I can't wait to be surprised by your next tutorial.

When the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear.
Sharon

Post 3

Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 5:47am

Hey Bill, Stephen, and Sharon.

Thanks for your comments.

Bill, glad you recognized those other elements that I worked so hard to achieve.
Stephen: "...I'm not sure I would have seen rhythm in the work prior to the explanation (at least explicitly). Do you feel that the iconic nature of a portrait may detract from the main organizing principle of rhythm that I assume you are trying to convey?

"Or does rhythm support and underlie the overall image..."
You�re quite correct there. I wouldn�t expect people to explicitly know how I painted it, other artists might or might not pick up on that. Hahahah, and then you ask if I think the face detracts from the means! The "arch" shape was just perfect for conveying the cupid-roundness and the sinister brow and curled lip! So, my goal was for them to compliment one another�arriving at the ends and means being worthy of each other.
Joe is a little shy about his thoughts, I know he is proud to have modeled for the portrait, everyone he knows is aware of it!
Sharon, glad you had an "eureka" moment.
Oscar Wilde in one of his ranting insights commented that he was beginning to see symbolism everywhere. I think good art and artists like to "play" on as many levels as possible�its an incredible rush when the metaphorical, symbolic, and literal are intertwined and all connote the things the artist wants to say.
You wrote: "...constantly look over the whole, don't get lost in the details. Keep searching for that main element."
I wondered at that last comment. I don�t know if that is Freudian slip but are you still looking for the "main element"?

Michael

Post 4

Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 6:16am

Hi Michael, well that's interesting about the main element. I really meant the element you have already chosen; as the arc elements that you sought in Joe's face. Recognizing, and then choosing an element for which to search, is prime. How else will you recognize it and be able to identify and name it, when you do come upon it?

As for me? Well, I'll have to let you know after I'm dead. Often, I never know at first, whether I'm looking at something I already know, or something new. The longer I live, the more unsure I become. This modern day exponential growth of information is having quite an effect on this too curious child.

I expect to die with burnt fingers.

Sharon

Post 5

Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 6:33am