Project Four - The Art of Painting II
Title : The Art of Painting II
Medium : Oil on Canvas Size : 2 ft x 2 ft Date : October 2022 Exhibition Text :
Inspired by Johannes Vermeer's work "The Art of Painting," I wanted to create something that showed the beauty of art, while also showing the progress made towards art being a more accessible activity. In the time the original painting was created, art was something reserved for the high class, as it was much more expensive and required much more materials. Now, however, things like digital art, the internet, and more affordable supplies exist to make art accessible to anyone who wants to try.
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Inspiration :
My inspiration for this piece was the artwork "The Art of Painting" by Johannes Vermeer. I was given an assignment to recreate a pre-existing piece, and change the meaning of it, while still being recognizable to the original. In his painting, Vermeer depicts a scene of an artist painting in his studio with a live model. It shows the beauty of painting, hence the title, and how it is a vital part of life. In addition, it also gives insight into how painting was often an activity reserved for the higher class, as it was not affordable for people to purchase all the supplies necessary, hire a model, own a studio, etc... In my own work, I still want to show how art is something beautiful and exciting, but I want to make it in a way that shows the progress that has been made for art to be more accessible. In addition to the subject of the painting, I really love Vermeer's use of oil paint and the way he blends everything to look smooth and realistic. His color palette is very cohesive, balancing warm and cool colors to create a very welcoming and positive environment. In my painting, I will also be using oil paints, and I hope to be able to replicate this same feeling.
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Planning :
Since I already had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted this piece to look like, the planning wasn't a super difficult process. I started out by sketching thumbnails of the original piece, mostly to get an idea of what was there and what I wanted to change around. The assignment for this piece was to recreate a pre-existing artwork, and change it to alter the meaning in some way, so that is exactly what I was planning for. Since I wanted my work to show art through a more modern lens, I came up with a list of things that makes art more accessible now, versus when Vermeer's work was originally painted. I eventually narrowed my list of things to include down to digital art, internet access, and the ability to work virtually anywhere. I started sketching out new ideas of how I would change the original environment, while still keeping the composition relatively similar. I eventually landed on placing the figure in a bedroom or home office, rather then a studio, and working on a digital artwork as opposed to a painting, which takes up much more space. I also replaced the live model with a photo reference on a laptop screen. I added in posters and decorations personal to the artist depicted, and that could also be seen as a source of inspiration. Though I wanted the environment to be different, I also wanted some things to reference the original painting. To do this, I switched my tapestry to the one in Vermeer's work, and also added in the curtain he has. Once I had a plan laid out for this, I started to take reference pictures. I set up a tripod behind my desk, and took a video of my sitting at it in various poses. I also don't own a digital art tablet, so I placed my light behind my head and planned to add it in later, using this light as a reference for how it would illuminate the room. Once I had the video taken, I scrolled through and found a frame I was happy with. From here, I moved onto the final painting.
Process :
First, I had to stretch a canvas to use as a painting surface. To do this, I took four 2 ft frame pieces, and put them together to create the frame. From here, I stretched the canvas over it, making sure it was tight enough, and stapled everything in place. Once that canvas was made, I had to gesso and tone it. I applied a thick layer of gesso onto the canvas, and let it dry. I then sanded it down to get rid of the brush strokes and give it a smooth texture. I repeated this one more time, making sure the texture of the canvas and the brush was gone. After gessoing was complete, I toned the canvas. To do this, I mixed water with brown paint, and added a wash over the entire thing. Doing this allows me to get a better idea of what the colors will actually look like, as I am not applying it on a white background that makes everything look darker. I moved on to the sketch by adding a grid to the canvas that was the same as the grid on my reference photo. I transferred this sketch, making sure to pay attention to where each element went in relation to the grid. Once I finished this, I moved on to painting.
I began by painting the darkest area, which was under the desk. I first blocked in the nearly black shade that covered most of the space, and then moved onto the chair. I blocked in where the different parts would go, and then I went back in with the background color to carve out any spots that I had gone over the lines in. Doing this helped me to not only get the form as accurate as possible, but allow the different elements to blend into each, as opposed to looking like they each exist on their own. This is something I noticed much of Vermeer's work exhibited, and I wanted to make sure I created the same sense of "togetherness" and unity.
After the dark sections, I moved my way up the painting. I started with blocking in the wall, which was a light pink in the reference photo. Vermeer's work, however, has much cooler hues, so I altered the pink to be slightly bluer. This helped the entire painting look more cohesive and connect with the original work. I blocked in the colors, working around the things that would eventually be hanging on the wall. I also placed the shadows in the spaces they needed to be. I moved onto the figure, blocking in the darkest sections of the clothing first. I added the highlights, making sure it appeared to be fabric wrapping around the form of a figure, as opposed to just a flat object. For the hair, I similarly placed the darkest sections, slowly making my way lighter. Doing this helped to show dimension and separate the sections of hair, without the colors blending together and becoming muddy.
I moved onto the wall decorations after this. I began by blocking in each thing, using the general colors I saw. I also began working on the tapestry the same way, and replaced the one from my original reference picture with the one in Vermeer's painting. I slowly added the details, paying attention to where different shapes and colors are placed. I changed the colors of both the tapestry and the posters to be more cohesive, making them cooler so that they fit in together and with Vermeer's work.
Once these decorations were done, I really only had to add in the curtain and some final touches. For the curtain, I sketched out where it would go, cutting into the scene similar to how it does in Vermeer's work. I then picked out patterns from the original curtain, and began painting it into my own. I changed things slightly to make it work with the way the fabric fell in my painting, following the lighting and shading from my reference. I tried my best to be careful to imply the form of the fabric, and how the light interacted with it. I don't think it was the most successful section of the painting, but I do think it adds to it and connects its even further to the original. After this was finished, I went through and touched up any sections that were lacking, whether that was adding highlights or fixing proportions, and I was finished.
Experimentation :
The main thing that I had to experiment with throughout this piece was how I would create a cohesive painting that would be different enough from Vermeer's, but still recognizable to the original piece. One way I decided to do this was by keeping some of the same colors in my reference photo, but changing them to be cooler or switching them to colors that appear in Vermeer's work. The one I focused on specifically was the sort of light blue that is present in a lot of the painting, with the model's dress and the curtain.Since the model would not be as big of a part of my painting, I also changed other small elements, such as the bag hanging up or some of the posters. I didn't want it to be too overbearing, but I made sure those references were still there. I also related it back to Vermeer's work with the tapestry and curtain. In my room, I have my own of both hanging on my wall and over my closet, so I changed the pattern to make Vermeer's. In my original reference photo, you can't actually see the curtain, as it's pulled off to the side, so I drew it in, exaggerating it's size and placement. The final thing I ended up doing was adding a piece of fabric hanging from my desk with a checked pattern, referencing the checkered floor of the original. While I had thought about creating a checkered floor in my work, I thought it would be too much, and lose the sense of painting in a home rather than a studio. Throughout this process, I did a lot of sketching and color swatches to plan out how I would go about doing it until I was able to eventually come up with a final piece.
Critique :
Similarities May Include :
Both artworks were created to highlight the beauty of art, and how it should be viewed as an important part of life and society. They show how art is created, and the processes that artists go through in order to create their work. They are also both created using oil paints. Because of this, there is smooth blending that looks somewhat realistic, depicting a scene that could easily exist in real life. In addition, the composition is nearly the same, with the same angle of the artist and supplies, only differing when it comes to the actual setting. My own work includes bits and pieces from Vermeer's, such as the tapestry or curtain hanging in the original painting.
Both artworks were created to highlight the beauty of art, and how it should be viewed as an important part of life and society. They show how art is created, and the processes that artists go through in order to create their work. They are also both created using oil paints. Because of this, there is smooth blending that looks somewhat realistic, depicting a scene that could easily exist in real life. In addition, the composition is nearly the same, with the same angle of the artist and supplies, only differing when it comes to the actual setting. My own work includes bits and pieces from Vermeer's, such as the tapestry or curtain hanging in the original painting.
Differences May Include :
In Vermeer's work, he depicts the high class nature of painting and art in general. His painting shows an artist in a private studio, painting from a live model, using expensive materials. In my own piece, as my intention was to create a more modern take on the idea of art, I showed the current accessibility of art. I showed the figure creating a digital artwork, using a photo reference from an online image as opposed to painting from a model. Because things like the internet and cheaper art supplies now exist, creating art is no longer an activity strictly for those who can afford it, as it was in Vermeer's time. In addition to this, the setting is different. In my piece, it takes place at home, in my bedroom. Supplies are much more easily transportable due to it being smaller and more convenient, and allows artists to work in unconventional spaces, instead of requiring a dedicated studio space.
In Vermeer's work, he depicts the high class nature of painting and art in general. His painting shows an artist in a private studio, painting from a live model, using expensive materials. In my own piece, as my intention was to create a more modern take on the idea of art, I showed the current accessibility of art. I showed the figure creating a digital artwork, using a photo reference from an online image as opposed to painting from a model. Because things like the internet and cheaper art supplies now exist, creating art is no longer an activity strictly for those who can afford it, as it was in Vermeer's time. In addition to this, the setting is different. In my piece, it takes place at home, in my bedroom. Supplies are much more easily transportable due to it being smaller and more convenient, and allows artists to work in unconventional spaces, instead of requiring a dedicated studio space.
Reflection :
This piece was an interesting one to me, as it had been a while since I had last used oil paints for something this detailed. I've mostly transitioned to using acrylic paint, so I had to readjust my techniques to work with oil instead. My inspiration was Johannes Vermeer, an oil painter in the 1600s. In his piece "The Art of Painting," he shows panting and art as a sophisticated activity, something only accessible to those who could afford it. I wanted to create a painting that showed how art has become more accessible through digital art, the internet, and in general a higher accessibility to supplies. My biggest challenge in this painting was figuring out how to make my painting clearly identifiable to the original, without copying it directly. I knew I wanted to change the setting, but keep the composition and a couple of identifying features. To get around this, I altered my color palette slightly to match the original, and changed things that I had in my room to things that are in the original, such as the tapestry or fabric. I think my favorite part was painting the decorations and details on the wall. I wanted to show the use of inspiration from photos and other art as opposed to a live model, so I made decorations showing other artwork and things that inspiration could be pulled from. In conclusion, I hope that viewers see my work and are able to compare it to Vermeer's
ACT Questions :
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
In Vermeer's painting, he shows the way painting and art was viewed as a privileged and sophisticated activity. In my work, I wanted to show the evolution of art, and how it is more accessible through things like digital art.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Art is something that should be viewed as a beautiful, vital part of the world.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Painting and art was once something only accessible to those who could afford supplies, models, studios, and more. Now, however, due to the internet and easier access to supplies, more people are able to partake.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?.
Art is something to be admired, and nowadays it can be accessed by nearly anyone who wants to create their own artwork.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
Using oil paint to depict digital painting can be used to show a crossover of medias and how art can be used in many new ways.
In Vermeer's painting, he shows the way painting and art was viewed as a privileged and sophisticated activity. In my work, I wanted to show the evolution of art, and how it is more accessible through things like digital art.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Art is something that should be viewed as a beautiful, vital part of the world.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
Painting and art was once something only accessible to those who could afford supplies, models, studios, and more. Now, however, due to the internet and easier access to supplies, more people are able to partake.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?.
Art is something to be admired, and nowadays it can be accessed by nearly anyone who wants to create their own artwork.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
Using oil paint to depict digital painting can be used to show a crossover of medias and how art can be used in many new ways.
Citations (in MLA Format)
Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, October 11). The Art of Painting. Wikipedia. Retrieved December 2, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_Painting