The tight finish vs......

[Julie Deane]

I've been hanging around the SOG for a while now, as well as perusing numerous magazines having to do with portraits, and I'm intrigued by something. It appears that the most popular portraits by far are the ultra-finished pieces. They usually win the big prizes. Yet, go back a generation or so, and less finished pieces were "in". I

[Michele Rushworth]

My clients seem to prefer a high level of finish. The highest compliment (in their minds) is, "Ooooh, it looks just like a photograph.' Actually I'm trying for something better than a photograph, but that's another story.

[David Bottoni]

I believe the pendulum swings in accordance to society's weariness of a particular style of painting that has overstayed its welcome and it then becomes the appreciation of an art style that differs from the style at the time. Eventually, every style becomes 'passe', but realism or high realism, will always come in and out of fashion due to its aesthetic and technical appeal as well as the indelible truth found in most works of art. I personally prefer a 'tight finish', but as Michelle mentioned, the client is always impressed with high realism, and who can argue with a paying client? If you are talking about art critics, well, that's a whole other topic.

David

[Stanka Kordic]

I am hired for my looseness. My tendency is to cringe when I'm told "it looks like a photograph" (out comes more paint). The important thing I've learned is that when you follow your heart, the clients will come...

~stanka

[Marvin Mattelson]

I think the point of debating tight vs loose is missing the boat entirely. Far too many are seduced by the finish when the underlying structure is what makes a painting good is immensely more critical. I see far to many aspiring painters trying to copy the surface effects of artists they want to emulate with no understanding as to why those particular paintings work.

To me, it is like trying to pick out an umbrella according to the color of the fabric.

I believe that good painting will always outsell trendiness, in the long run. We should therefore be true to ourselves and not try to second guess the fashion of the moment.

[Julie Deane]

Hi Marvin -

This is certainly not meant to be a debate. I just think the style shift that appears to be happening is interesting and thought I would open it up to comment. I agree that it is the content of a painting that makes it or breaks it, whatever the style.