Portrait Artist Forum    

Go Back   Portrait Artist Forum > Cafe Guerbois Discussions - Moderator: Michele Rushworth


 
 
Topic Tools Search this Topic Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
Old 06-08-2007, 03:49 PM   #13
Steven Sweeney Steven Sweeney is offline
Juried Member
PT 5+ years
 
Steven Sweeney's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Location: Stillwater, MN
Posts: 1,801
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.
__________________
Steven Sweeney
[email protected]

"You must be present to win."
  Reply With Quote
 


Currently Active Users Viewing this Topic: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Topic Tools Search this Topic
Search this Topic:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Topics
Thread Topic Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Preparatory color study from life Marvin Mattelson Exercises and Challenges 8 08-20-2008 01:23 AM
Can someone lend me a photo? Jeff Fuchs Photography General Discussions 9 04-20-2006 11:05 PM
Combining photo and life reference material Elizabeth Schott Techniques, Tips, and Tools 10 02-07-2003 05:54 PM
Consider the source John Zeissig Cafe Guerbois Discussions - Moderator: Michele Rushworth 36 11-29-2002 01:17 PM

 

Make a Donation



Support the Forum by making a donation or ordering on Amazon through our search or book links..







All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:56 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.6
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.