Looking Deeper

I experience images on a macro (realistic) and micro (abstract) level. It's obvious that looking at the big picture tells a lot: Who are the characters? What is the action? Where is it taking place? Looking at detail can reveal something different altogether. 

When looking at an image closely, objects fade and everything appears abstract. What's left is color, shape and texture. I certainly prefer viewing and creating realistic art. That said, I enjoy the abstract areas contained within realistic images. 

The images in this post are from my current painting project, a local mural. I did not discuss with the client about showing full images publicly yet. However, I don't see anything wrong with showing small, cropped details. They definitely don't give a lot away. What they DO show is the abstraction that happens on the micro level of realistic art.

Looking at abstract art elicits a purely emotional response. In realistic art the objects of a painting bear more significance. But the way they are portrayed is also critical, color, shape and texture playing important roles.  

I hope to show the full images of these paintings soon. Until then, you are welcome to guess what any of these images might be! 

Until next week, Adar

Little Drawings

These sketches represent the kernel of a new painting. They are very small, light and abstract. It's difficult for me to understand them even though I drew them! So I know it can't be easy for you to read them either. Nevertheless every image has to start somewhere.   

Sometimes these small sketches are the most energetic. It's a great challenge to develop an image that retains energy while becoming more concrete.  

The great advantage of drawing small is the ability to throw down ideas quickly. Here I'm trying different ways of positioning pieces within the image. The shifting of any piece affects the entire image dramatically. 

This last image is clearer. It's the result of narrowing down options. I'm very happy with how each piece interacts with all the others in the frame. Can you make out what the scene is?

Next I will make it bigger with more detail.  

Until then, Adar 

Building Costumes

In preparation for a major new art project I am gathering lots of visual reference. This includes building models and costumes. One of my newest creations is a Greek battle skirt made from common materials.

The skirt is made out of a white towel, cardboard, popsicle sticks and rope. The cardboard is adhered to the skirt with a hot glue gun. The rope is underneath the towel, tying the skirt around my waist. I used the same construction to decorate the shoulders, gluing cardboard pieces to an old shirt. The breastplate is a plastic one I bought on Amazon.

The real value of a costume is the ability to see realistic lighting interact with it. It also makes for a very fun project! In the future I hope to have enough money to buy authentic props and weapons. Until then I will keep making them myself!

Until next week,
Adar

Foray Into the Unknown

Thanks for joining me on this first blog post. My desire to start a blog goes back many months; it is only starting now because of all the worrying I do. "What do I write about? Am I committed? Do I write well enough? Despite these apprehensions, I am jumping in.

As an aspiring professional artist there are a lot of choices to make. "What subject matter do I paint? What message do I want to convey visually? What artistic medium is best for me?" I will explore some of these questions here.

As of right now I am committing myself to one blog post a week; I want to see how well I manage that.

I invite you to join me as this blog develops. Feel free to comment what you are most interested in. Do you want to read about art process or famous paintings? Or are you piqued by professionalism and business?

Until next week, Adar