An Artistic Standpoint

The blues and scratches are the only sounds in the room. In a circle, seventeen artists use their media, pencils, pastels, and paint, to make their own versions of the same subject. The subject is a dance instructor dressed in workout clothes, sitting in the middle of the circle with her head tilted slightly upward.

Her upswept hair and chiseled features are focused upon by some of the artists. Using long strokes or soft shading, others are enamored with her body and limbs. Using watercolor, a painter from Crystal Lake creates movement across the panel by superimposing different poses. The group's weekly sessions give this landscape artist a chance to try out new techniques and enhance her figure drawing abilities.

She says, unlike with musicians and their instruments, most people don't associate practice with drawing. She feels elated about how the work turned out, upon a quick inspection. As it is with all art, greatness is hit and misses and portraits are great depending on the connection it makes with the viewer.

Twenty years ago one of their group disappeared to the business world, but she returned two years ago, reclaiming her love for portraiture. She says she has always loved portraits. It is her job to take whatever expression the subject gives and turn it into a painting. Her impression of the model is that of royalty, and she uses unlikely color combinations of dark green, blue, yellow and white to convey this.

The face is more than just colors to the artist. They also take into account undertones, cool blues and greens, and warm yellows and whites that are a product of lighting. Renoir was a master of this, and she is attempting to follow his tradition. A work on commission can be completed, whether through live sittings or photographs. Photographs are meant for convenience, but those with the spare time should sit through a session to allow the artist first hand impressions of personality. The talent of the artist shines in his ability to bring out personality onto a canvas. It can be a mere split second when the subject lets his personality show. Though her end products are good depictions of the subject, this is never her primary goal. She wants to get the inner person, and when she does, it usually comes out looking attractive.

When working on commission, artists must reconcile personal concepts and perceptions with the patron's requests. In addition, the artist should not be afraid to use striking colors to highlight the subject.

By: Hilaryrose

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