Is Your Goal to Paint Photorealist Images or your Learning Process?
On my Facebook group Pastel Artists Uk some amazing conversations regarding all aspects of the artists life take place. The issue of photorealism is a current hot topic; in fact it is always a hot topic.
This post is not about pro or against a style of painting. There are far more interesting issues. Photography is very much a part of our world and our use of it is important as artists.
So what is photorealism? And why is it so contentious? In short it is artwork which is as close as the artist can get to imitating the role of the camera – a photo realistic rendition of a subject. The opposite of photo realistic work might be Impressionism – an ‘impression’ of reality rather than a photo realistic copy.
Now as an artist and a tutor I have a pretty broad opinion on the subject; one which comes with age and experience.
Largely the issue seems to have been seen as cut and dried. You are either a fan or your not. You are a photorealist or your not. But it isn’t that simple. The issue of photorealism is part of all artists experience.
Above: Monet – Bridge at Argentuil Right: John Singer Sargent – Lady Agnew of Lochnaw 1893 On the surface these images look ‘real’ but neither are photo realist. They are both well known paintings which are considered Impressionistic. Monet and Sargent were good friends and often painted together although their subjects were different. Some would say ‘realism’ is in the eye of the beholder?
An Artists Beginnings
In this case mine. I was a child artist and not from a family of artists. What I learnt was from experience -and I can’t even think of any books that taught portrait techniques back then, but I was not in the ‘art world’. So what I had was a passion to do portraits and no way of learning how to do them other than from copying from art books of great masters, and trying to do a half decent job on my favourite pop stars from photos in teen magazines.
My father and the rest of my family loved to encourage me. I found out early on that approval came from my work ‘looking just like a photograph’! At that time – 13/14 years old I was OK with that. They were adults, and knew better than me (even thought they didn’t of course). Meanwhile I had a mini teenage ‘career’ capturing ‘amazing’ likenesses of my favourite people.
Steady Improvement
So on I went – getting better and better at making my portraits look just like the photograph – and eventually with time and practice I developed something more of my style and approach to my work. But this happened gradually over a few years and almost without my noticing it.
I was also by that time researching my favourite artists and being influenced by them – which is inevitable. ( That meant trips to the library of course) Dad was still encouraging me along a photorealistic path – ‘Great darling – looks just like a photograph’, and I began to feel ‘unsatisfied’ with what I was doing. That was not my aim. I’m not sure I could have told you what my aim was at the time but it wasn’t to just look like the photo. He thought Canelletto was the greatest artist ever (his work is very photographic) but I preferred Monet, and Van Gogh and Rembrandt. But I was severely limited to what I could learn from books I could access as a 13 year old.
Later on in my research into Pastel I discovered the great French pastelist Jean-Baptiste-Simeon-Chardin along with so many others – whose work remains an influence to this day (portrait below of Chardin – his self portrait). Probably one of the first to not use a finger blended approach to his pastels. His work is a total tapestry of light; made up of a huge variety of marks in colour. Click on the photo to see it in a lightbox.
Portrait Painters have a Special Relationship with Photographic Accuracy
Without my passion to get the painting as accurate as possible I would not have been able to develop to the artist I am today. But the thing is – I recognise now that chasing photographic accuracy was part of my development and once the skills developed – I gradually moved on; a natural development.
It is very difficult to paint the same way – exactly the same way – for 40 years! In fact were that the case I would have wanted to give up 39 years ago. But in fact that is part of the idea behind photo realistic painting; to reach photographic perfection, and once that stage is reached what is next?
It is good to remember that chasing accuracy to photographic levels for most artists is a skill building exercise. It is up to you to decide when to move on to other skills and levels of development; or whether to become a fully fledged card carrying photorealist.
A budding portrait artist can find it confusing, because of the added complication of capturing that all important likeness, which is all about accuracy of drawing. Believe me when I say that capturing a likeness is rarely just to do with photographic skills. Ask yourself this – think of your favourite artists – and I don’t mean those posting on the same Facebook groups as you – but some of the great masters ( I refuse to say ‘and mistresses’!) of art, how many are photorealist? Your favourite artists are a clue as to the artist you might become.
My Tutor’s Head thinks in a different way
Now many years down the line – I still love Monet and Sargent and Rembrandt, and a whole realm of fabulous women artists which until 1990 I didn’t know existed . My opinions are not just shaped by my own artistic experience but by my life as a tutor, and increasingly more as a mentor. I think as a tutor and a mentor. When someone posts on my Facebook group I respond and react as a tutor and a mentor, and I do it without thinking because I am passionate that the information on Pastel Artists UK is as accurate as possible, for the benefit of the group member, and for pastel.
So what do I think of Photorealism and artistic learning?
This is the crux of the matter for me.
My stance on photographic realism is that too many beginner artists think that is where the ‘art’ is. The ‘skill’. It is just one small part of the success of a portrait. If you a passionate to learn those skills, with practice the chances are that you will.
But beginners confidence can be very fragile. When I think back I didn’t develop my skills in the same world as Facebook, where every day budding artists log on and see a lot of work – good work – some really good. That can be demoralising on a daily basis when you are a beginner. But that apart, my real issue with photorealism is the idea that producing work which is a photographic likeness is the aim of the game. Even in portraiture it is so much more than that. Such skills in artists did exist before cameras were ever invented of course – when the realistic skills of artists was the first consideration; that is what artists did, but with the invention of cameras, the need for artists to chase photographic accuracy diminished. So in an ideal world for me – beginners would be inspired by nature rather than photorealism. Well I did say ‘ideal’ lol. It is of course all down to the kind of artist you want to be. Artist or Artisan.
Luckily, like you handwriting, your artistic style will emerge out of your own particular character and personality – for good or bad!
So I have an awkward relationship with photographic realism.
Like anyone I can admire some of the skill, but I personally prefer a non photographic approach; I don’t feel the need to compete with a camera lens, because with experience I realise that photos are all too often lacking – especially in the kind of ‘light’ I portray. I can only get that from studying nature.
But as a tutor, I am all too aware that the issue is a more important one than mere ‘I like’ or I dont like’, or whether it is or is not ‘our style’, it also touches on how we see ourselves as artists – and how we measure ourselves against a camera lens and also against each other; beginners especially; those most vulnerable to having confidence issues. So realising that sweating over the details is a valid part of your growth process might well be the time you too will realise that artistic development may well take you through many stages, not just this one. It can be quite a ride!
Feel free to add your thoughts on this blog in the comments below. It is an interesting subject, and I know it affects many of you.
Check out these links for more on photorealism:
photorealism revisited (video)
I would very much appreciate it if you would leave a comment/question below. It helps me to know how you see your own artistic development, aand the more people who engage in the subject – the more interesting it will become!
Thanks for this article! So much of it rings true with me. Being mostly self-taught I had been striving for the “it looks just like the photo” compliment. It is good to know that this is a phase in my learning process. I struggle with being looser, not paying so much attention to detail. That my style (my new goal) will emerge.
I am a new member to your Pastel Acadamy and am learning to be an artisan!
MAny thanks Annette! That is one thing I aim at within the Academy – to help artists to develop their original style. XH
This rang so many bells for me, as a beginner I am a ‘copier’ probably on the basis that I don’t have the experience to put together something on my own. I have to say though that the Pastel Academy is already changing my thinking and I am starting to see ways to change things in a way which I find pleasing and my fellow students have played a big part in this. I look forward to having the confidence to develop my own style.
You will develop your own style Tina. Copying can only take any artist so far down the creative road.
Yes the members of the Academy are all really supportive of each other! I can see that they are all keen to see how everyone else is doing with a particular image. XXH
I had always tried to make it look like the original or photo realistic. I’ve wanted to move closer to impressionism for a while now. Doing all the landscapes that we have has taken me one step closer!
Hi there, just wanted to say, I enjoyed this post. It was
inspiring. Keep on posting!
Hi, I’m at the very early stages of being an artist. Getting a painting to look like the picture was all I ever wanted to do, I’m now successfully copying animals but feel I’d like to make them more ‘arty’ if you know what I mean. I’m trying to introduce more colour into my paintings. Oh, and I can only do animals!!!!!!!!! Tried landscapes and end up with a muddy mess. I really understood your story Heather. I used to feel so happy when people said ‘oh it’s like a photograph.’ But it’s leaving me feeling lacking in some way now. I want it to be more than a photo, but don’t know where to start. Hoping this academy can help me become an artist. Going to challenge myself to do more than animals and use lots more colour and see what happens. I’m just so happy doing animals!!!!!!
The stages you are going through are the usual path to follow Karen. And it is a difficult one because good professional guidance is not in place for the majority of pastel artists. You will one day surprise yourself re landscape! Most people do. Let me know the answer to my questions at the bottom of the post – I would be really grateful if you do.
I shall be interested in everyones responses on those questions. XX Heather
I have found no option to sign up for your pastel painting program anywhere or anything about costs.
?
Interesting to read about how you moved on after achieving photorealism so young, perhaps we all diversify into our own style the longer we try something, i’m still a babe at this art business but i would get bored doing the same thing repeatedly, i have to be continually challenging myself, trying something different, pushing my boundaries, and in that way I continually learn how to keep growing
That is exactly the right attitude to have Elaine – never be afraid to try something new. We all have to start somewhere – but it takes time to work out what approach is best for us.
For me I cannot do loose, I love my pastel paintings to look accurate, it’s basically me. Everything has to be right. For me someone to say that looks like a photo would be the ultimate honour.
You might feel like that now Kris – but in time……………..
Great article and interesting to see photorealism described as part of the journey – I can see that being the case.
There is no doubt that photorealism shows a high level of skill and I certainly want to attain to that skill level – but I want more ( so typical of me lol!!) – for me a painting wants to say something or show something that I’ve seen or felt – my original, individual view or perspective – not what the photo is saying. It’s exciting to see it as part of the journey – thanks for that!! 🙂
Yes it is a much overused word Carol – but it is exactly that – a journey! Glad to have added some perspective for you. XH
I got started with pastels doing portraits.I try to get my work as accurate as possible to the reference photo.When it comes to portraits,I think being accurate,is very important,especially if you are doing it for someone else.I also like a looser style,but I struggle to do loose.I also struggle to do landscapes.I would like to learn both.
So many people struggle to do ‘loose’ Ed. Especially if they start out doing portraits which are about a more precise approach – it can be very hard to get looser and more freestyle. The best way to do this is through landscape, which rarely needs to be precise and ‘tight’. Fo many years now my portrait students have attended landscape classes to learn expressive painting and a whole lot more besides. My landscapers go into portrait or figure drawing to work on their accuracy.
Perhaps i am still in the early stages of a beginner because i just paint what i see and i use the knowledge i have gained since painting with regard that photos only really show 2D and i try to make it 3D with shading and highlights and what i would like to see it look like in real life. So at this stage i am a realist amateur artist looking to find in time a more creative artist.
Well at least you are looking outside the photograph Les – to try and get a more 3D effect. That means you are developing a critical eye. What is you r subject?
Great piece – I think it is important to practice and try to master the artisan skills in order to have the confidence and a foundation to allow your real artistic voice to express itself.
Thanks Steve,
You are totally correct – it is important to practice and develop your understanding of the basic skills – and of course accuracy comes with that practice. So many of the ‘great’ artists did just that. Picasso could draw like an angel when he was 12/13 years old. He developed to the artist he became with years of ‘fermentation’. Like a good wine. Learning the artisan skills also gives you confidence. It is a really important part of so many artists development – a necessary stage they go through.