Photorealism - what's your opinion?

[Geary Wootten]

Heidi, my friend, thanks so much for bringing this in. I, too, am a textile/ auto/ motorcycle airbrusher. I've been doing it off and on for years. In fact, I still do them occasionally in my sign and graphic business. I have appreciated all the great airbrush Icons since the 70s and mostly in the 80 through early 90s when these T-shirt guys were in their heyday. Let's see...there was Dru Blair's airborne depictions, Terry Hill and his muscle cars, Pat Gaines who started the largest chain of airbrush stores in America, and of course the very famous "Jurek". Jurek was a smash hit with his "full bleed" celeb portraits, hot chicks and of course the big cats (tigers being a specialty) and he's still is going strong today. His website is http://www.jurek-art.com/

My personal take on photorealism is that it is a great way to learn where all the details are supposed to go...literally. The thing I think is compelling is when guys that have this knowledge can learn to "fuzzy up" the edges a bit more and don't try to put in all that background stuff can really create a beautiful portrait of anything...figurative or otherwise.

So....I think that knowledge of all the traditional training together with the immense amount of visual data from a photo is very viable and still very interesting to view....when done well.....of course....like anything in life! haha!

~Gear

[Henry Wienhold]

A great artist, beautiful work, outstanding achievement, but it leaves me cold.

I think most people when commissioning a portrait, or viewing great portraiture they want to see and feel that human touch in the painting, that unique indescribable warmth thats transfered from brush to canvas. They look for what is difficult to put into words. The hand painted portrait communicates it all in a split second, no words are required.