Photo Realism- Why I Am Done Simply "Recording" Images
Realism's Fading Glory
All the time I spent growing up and learning how to draw my main focus was on recreating a reference photo as accurately as possible. Since that journey started I have realized that methodology wouldn't help me create the type of art that I really enjoyed.
It was about 15 hours into drawing this picture when I realized that I didn't give a damn about aiming for realism as the main goal anymore. I realized I found the pursuit and final product boring and without exploration.
Still, I worked this drawing, with no passion, everyday for a while before I finally decided I was done working on this picture and quit a little over half way through. I was done even if the drawing was not. I started thinking that if my goal was to create a copy of this reference photo then why not just print the reference photo and be done.
New Love Affair
My newfound love of paint probably had something to do with this departure from "recording" images. Painting, once I figured out the basics, turned my attention to the inherent properties of the medium, the character of the paint itself, and the happenings of the process.
Then, as I explored the art that I really enjoyed, I found that color interaction, texture, and creatively order chunks of visual information is what I loved. I learned I was more interested in the painting process showing than creating believable images.
I am not saying that realism is a poor goal. From a training standpoint, it is the standard by which you judge your technical abilities. I am just saying that I feel I have personally outgrown it. So if you are an artist that deals only in realism don't take this as a stab at your craft. Do your thing...
If you enjoyed this post I hope you upvote, resteem, and follow me. Comment with any insights, suggestions, questions, or complaints.
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STOP
I think it was Picasso who said, you have to be able to draw a line before you can break it.
Well, Picasso definitely makes more sense to me now than when I was younger. Lol