Portraits’ and the Materials, that Inspire, Drive, The Artists, Art Creations?…

In this Blog, Portraits’ and Materials, that Inspire, Drive, The Artists, Art Creations?… I will give important, information on portrait painting.  History, General, and some interesting and funny trivia. I will also be showing you the stages to my Portrait Creating, attempts, and am providing you with web links, to check out, in regards to Media I used, and information on Techniques and other Brand information.

Portrait painting, is a genre in painting, where  there is an interest in drawing a person or persons.

Historically,  Portrait paintings have portrayed the rich and the powerful in Society. Through the ages, and some time later, the Middle class, also commissioned portraits of Family, Members and Colleagues.

Today portrait paintings are commissioned by Governments, Corporations, Groups, Clubs, and Individuals.

As well as paintings, portraits can also be made in other media, such as etching, lithography, photography, video and digital media.

A well drawn portrait, should show the Inner essence of the subject, from the Artist’s point of view, it should be a Flattering representation, and not just a literal likeness.

Aristotle stated,  that the Aim of Art, is to present not the outward appearance, but a persons Inner significance.  To accomplish this, it is not the external look or details, that give the portrait, the true appeal, only what is inside a person, that Gives life to an Excellent portrait.

In portrait paintings the subject can be depicted, Full length, Half length, Head and shoulders, or just the Head.

The other possible Variables, are the subject can be Clothed, or nude, indoors or outdoors, standing, seated, reclining, or horse-mounted.  Portrait paintings can be of Individuals, couples, parents, children, families, or collegial groups.

Portraits can be created in Various Media, in Oils, Watercolour, Pen and Ink, Pencil, Charcoal, Pastel, and Mixed media. The Artists can use a wide–ranging palette of colours.

In this portrait, I have drawn from a free photo, which is of a Model, who lives in Europe. I have used Paint Markers, and Watercolour Pencils, By Faber Castell, to complete the Portrait painting. I use this Brand because, the product is affordable, gives great results,  and is easy to find. I am listing some web sites, to inform you, about these Media, and how to use.  https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-techniques/markers/ink/rightnow.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=7JvP3Xs65WM.  and the, Watercolour pencils,   https://feltmagnet.com/drawing/watercolourpencils-reviews.

The following pictures, are the preliminary, Drawing and then, the green acrylic wash, in the Mont Marte–Silver series–Light green, and Semi-matte–Titanium white.

         

This completed Portrait, is coloured in Paint Markers, and Watercolour Pencils,  both Media, by Faber Castell.

Making Waves.  Mixed Media.  By Marie. Crimi.  2018.

22 Artists on the Materials that Inspire and Drive Their Work.– The introduction is good to read.  If you go down towards the end,   to the Artists,   Lyn Hershman Leeson,  Shara Hughes and  Curtis Talwst Santiago.  These artists, are the most interesting, and I think we can relate, to their work, if only in the materials they use.  These Artists could contribute, to our Art work styles, and our Art, thought processes.

The Size of the Portrait is an important consideration.  Usually the Artist, takes into account, where the final portrait will be hung, and takes in, the colours and style, of the surrounding décor.  To Create a Portrait takes, a considerable time, usually several sittings, the average is about four.  In the 18th century, it would take about a year, to deliver a completed portrait, to a client.

Pre- to Portrait painting--Central to the successful execution of the portrait, you need to Master the Human Anatomy.  Human faces are asymmetrical, and the Skillful portrait artist, reproduce this with a subtle left-right, difference.  Artists need to be knowledgeable about the underlying bone tissue structure, to make a convincing portrait.   For complex compositions, the artist may first do a complete pencil, ink, charcoal, or oil sketch, which is useful, if the Sitter’s available time is limited.

Occasionally, the Client or the client’s family is unhappy with the resulting portrait, and the artist is obligated to re-touch it or do it over, or withdraw from the commission, without being paid. Suffering the humiliation of failure.

Jacques-Lois David celebrated portrait of Madame Recamier, wildly Popular in exhibitions’ was Rejected by the sitter. John Singer Sargents, notorious Portrait of Madame X, was Rejected.  John Trumbull’s full-length, portrait, of General George Washington, was Rejected by the committee, that commissioned it. The List of rejected Portraits goes on and on…

Note:–The Famous, prickly Gilbert Stuart, once replied to a clients dissatisfaction with his wife’s portrait by retorting,   “You brought me a potato, and you expect a peach!”

In this portrait, I have again taken a different free photo, of The same Model as in the above Portrait painting. You will see, how using different media, give a completely different result, to the completed painting. I have placed the painting in this section, because, I do not like the Result.    I have used Fine Markers and Metallic Colour Pencils, both Media are, by Faber Castell, my preferred Brand. I am giving the web sites for you to check out the Media, information.  https://www.art-is-fun.cm/best-art-markers-with-fine-tips.    https://www.best coloured pencils.com/best-metallic-coloured-pencils.

The following drawings are the initial sketch, and then the picture is a wash of acrylic Mont Marte–Silver series–Rose madder, and Semi-matte–Titanium white.

     

In this completed Portrait Painting, of the Model, I have used Fine Markers and Metallic Coloured Pencils, both Media, By  Faber Castell, my preferred Brand.   I do not like the way this painting worked out, so I have to say, Rejected…

Chiarasc,  Mixed Media, By Marie. Crimi.  2018.

For Interesting and Important History on Portrait Painting– Through the Ages, go to, ( The Wikipedia, Free Encyclopedia ) and read through the information that attracts you, under History.

The Top 10 – Self Portraits in Art– From an anxious Lucian Freud to an enigmatic Rembrandt and a norish Cindy Sherman, these self-portraits take the selfie, to a new artist level.  This Article is interesting to read a little in, and to have a small look at the Self- Portraits, it gives you an idea of the Quality of  the Portraits, through the Ages and a look in, Through the Eyes of the Artists, who made them.

Portrait Artists Career Information ( Study.com ) ,— Not required, although  Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in Fine arts, can help Portrait Artist’s, Refine their skills, and Improve their prospects in the job market.

Career Definition for a Portrait Artist– The activities of a Portrait Artist, may include, taking Photographs for publications, Creating privately commissioned pieces for Museums or individuals and Restoring older works of Art. They could, Critique the work of other artist’s, Teach and Participate in exhibitions.  Generally, Portrait Artists, must rely on their Portfolio and Professional connections to find work, through Galleries and through Private–commissions.

Job Skills– Meaningful Expression, Imaginative approaches, Customer service and Interpersonal skills.

Median Salary– (2015)  $46,460 for the Fine Artists.

Job Growth– ( 2014 – 2024 ) 3% for the Fine Artists. ( Source, U.S.A Bureau of Labor Statistics ).

In conclusion I hope this Blog has being Informative about everything Portrait, that is according to my research. I hope it has given you focus and ideas, on many points of interest to your specific needs, on Media and Portrait questions?. I hope you enjoyed, my attempts, at Portrait Creating. Thank you for participating in what I had to share. Have an amazing week, See You All, Next Week…