In this Blog, Portraits, I examine what is the Portrait, and if it had any Benefits for Society in the past , and if today Portraits are still Valued, or if Portraits, are a lost Art Form, for Society. Besides, the Artist, Portrait Painting, are there other Media, that are used, with the Universal use of the Newer IT–Technology? Let us try to envision, what the Future has installed for the Portrait?
Portrait painting–is a genre in Art, in which the purpose is to show a Human Individual, and their personality. Portrait, Artists paintings, can describe their actual Portrait painting. People who Paint portraits can create their work, for Commissions, for the General Public or for the Private individual. The main purpose of a Portrait painting is for State recognition and Importance. Portrait paintings, are also the paintings made of family members, as a record for their family, remembrance history.
Historically–Portrait paintings have been important for the Rich and the Powerful in Society. As the time has moved forwards, the Middle classes, have Commissioned Portraits, of Family and their colleagues.
At the Present Time–Portraits are still Commissioned by Governments, corporations, groups, clubs and the Individual.
Portraits and Media–Portraits can be made in other Media, such as in Prints and in (Etchings and Lithography), photography, video and digital media. Throughout history, for all the Artists, in the different traditions, it has been necessary for the Artist, to learn newer and particular skills, for painting realistically the Portraited.
Technique and Practice–A well Painted portratit, needs to show the Inner essence of a person, or needs to be an excellent representation or show the likeness, of an individual. Artists usually aim for a Photographic realist looking painting, or an Impressionist, painting, or a similarity of their sitter. In a Caricature, in which an attempt is made to Exaggerate a characters, Physical features.
Artists–Edward Burke-Jones, said that the only True expression in a Portrait is the Likeness of a character and their Moral quality. Nothing that is Temporary, changing or accidental in the Portrait.
The Artist Gordan C. Aymar, said that the Eyes, are the place that we look at to give, the most, Reliable and complete information, of an individual in the Portrait paintings. The Eyebrows, show the Wonder, pity, fright, pain, cynicism, concentration, displeasure, surprise and Expectation. All these Emotions are expressed, in a Variety of variation, and also in Combinations of expression.
Portrait paintings–can show the subject, in Full length, (Whole Body), Half length, (from Head to waist or Hips), Head shoulders,–(Bust), or just the Head. Some of the other Variations, the person can be Clothed, or nude, indoors or outside, standing, seated, reclining, and even Horse–mounted.
Portraits–can be of Individuals, couples, parents, children, families, or Groups of people.
Portrait Creations–can be made in different media, which can include, Oil paints, watercolours, pen and ink, pencil, charcoal, pastel, and Mixed media. Artists have a wide-range of palette colours, to use to create the Portrait painting.
Websites: Portrait Painting
- How to paint Portraits from photographs, a step by step guide. https://empty easel.com
- Portrait Painting and Drawing: https://www.art-is-fun.com/portrait painting
Videos of Portrait Paintings
- bing.com/videos
Overall Size of Portrait–the Artist does take into account, where the Final portrait will be hung. The Colour and style of the décor, the painting will be Shown in, are considered greatly by the Artist.
The Portrait Painting, Indian Summer, is made in Creations Watercolours, on A3, Acid free, Creatives Watercolour paper, and the Painting is completed in Sharpie Fine Black marker.
Indian Summer. Mixed Media. By: Marie. Crimi. 2019.
The drawing below is, the above completed Portrait painting. It is my Unique Art style and Version of a Free Photo Stock, Photo, that I used for the Initial Reference. I used a 2B, Eco Lead, Light Pencil, to make the drawing. I made a Wash to paint over the drawing using, Mont Marte–Silver Series Acrylic colours, Titanium white and a smallish amount of the Rose madder. When this wash was dry, I proceeded to paint the drawing in Creatives, Watercolours. And finished of the Portrait, in Sharpie Fine Marker.
Hue and Portraits–Creating a Portrait takes a lot of time, needing at least Four sittings. In the 18th century it would take at least a full year, to complete a portrait. After calming the sitter, and encouraging a natural pose, the Artist then studies the person in detail. Looking in particular for a Facial expression, that satisfies the Artists concept, of the Individual’s personality. The Posture is examined, to show the Emotional and physical state of the sitter, the Clothes of the sitter, are considered as the Overall impression. To keep the Sitter at ease, the artist will Maintain a pleasant, steady appearance, and Make light conversation, with the sitter.
Human Anatomy and Portraiture–in the Creation of a Successful portrait, the Overall, knowledge of The Human Anatomy is very important.
Portraits Outcome–Occasionally, the Client or the client’s family is unhappy with the Portrait. The Artist is then, required to re-touch the painting or in some case Redo the painting, or to Withdraw the Commission without being paid, the Artist suffering, the Humiliation of failure.
An example of a Portrait Failure–The famous and particular Gilbert Stuart, once replied to a client’s dissatisfaction with his wife’s portrait, by replying. ‘You bought me a Potato, and you expect as Peach!
The Portrait painting below, is my first attempt at Portrait drawing . I decided to use Acid free, A3, Creatives, Watercolour paper, it is my preferred paper to use. It has a fine texture and I thought I would use Soft coloured pastels, I like working in soft pastels, although I have not used them for awhile. I thought it would be fun to see if I could work on the Portrait. I have put it under the paragraph as A Failed Portrait, because it is my First Portrait attempt, and I think I did not, do the Painting the Justice, the painting deserved.
Spring Arrived. Mixed Media. By: Marie. Crimi. 2019.
The drawing below is the above initial drawing for the above completed Pastel Portrait. I used a 2B, Eco Lead, light pencil, to draw the Portrait. Then I used Acrylics, Mont Marte-Silver Series, Colours, Cadmium yellow, Yellow orange and a littlest Raw umber, to make the Wash, that I applied over the initial drawing. When dry, I used Mungo Soft Pastels for the Colouring, and to finish the complete Portrait painting, I outlined the picture with Watercolour Black Pencil. To give the definition the Portrait needed, to finish it Off…
A Successful Portrait–can gain the Lifelong gratitude of a client. The Count Bulthanzar, was so pleased with the Portrait, ‘Raphael’ had created of his wife, that he told Raphael the Artist, “Your image…alone can lighten my cares, that image is my delight, I direct my smiles to it, it is my joy”. (Above information, in Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia).
In concluding this Portraits examination of definite details, we can see that Portraits are a necessary part of society. Through History, Governments and Corporations, and the Rich Valued the Portraits. At this time, All Classes of Society have some form of Portrait Recording, for their Knowledge and for Remembrance. It is easy to believe, that the Portrait recording, whether the Portrait is Painted by an Artist, or made in other Media, that it will always be part of our Culture, always has been and will be, so it is… This is a Good Service available to us as a Society, it keeps us informed of how far we as Earthlings have Matured, in time, and What we have left Behind in the World’s, past.
Thank you for Visiting My Blog, Portraits, please like if you enjoyed this blog. If you have any questions, or ideas, thoughts, on any area you wish me to investigate, please contact me.
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