Seth Apter has called upon his followers to re-post some of their favourite 'posts from the past'. I've chosen one from my first year of blogging, 2011. It's a subject that many 'purist' art practitioners pooh pooh but, to me, painting from photos certainly has it's place.
My style has changed since then...but I still use photos as reference when painting abstract works.
From Photo to Easel - 26th March 2011
These days most of my work is done in the studio. Trekking around the countryside carrying masses of heavy art stuff is physically much too difficult. Drawing al fresco is something that can be continued, and should be, ad infinitum.
Painting inspiration is sourced from the many 1000's of photos I take. Not all of them are good, but even bad photos might just contain something catchy.... a composition, a range of colours, a connection between people. Like this shot, a snap taken at a birthday party.
A little alteration here and there, a little more expressive colour, and hey presto!
I regard this as successful as it sold within a few hours of exhibiting, so someone liked it enough to open their wallet.
I saw this call out too but had forgotten about it.... I've painted scenes and abstracts based on my photos as well - it's fun to change them up and interpret them in a different medium. Love your ladies and your use of color.
ReplyDeleteThis is great Jo!
ReplyDeleteI think there is a lot to said about art forms...I love how you blurred the lines!
Wonderful~
I love this idea. I've been too busy lately to do much mixed media work and it would be fun to revisit some of my previous work.
ReplyDeleteRinda
As always, I adore your art. You have such a great eye for color, composition, and design. That may have started as a photo, but it took you to see the true beauty in the piece. I can see why it sold in no time at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm a first time visitor to your blog, I am also participating in Seth's Buried Treasure. I love your painting and in my opinion painting from your own photos is completely acceptable. It is yours after all! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNice blast from the past. I love your painting, glad someone scooped it up back then. xox
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm participating in Seth's Buried Treasure too. Your painting is beautiful. Don't worry about working from a photo..you added your personal style and touch. Love the color combinations.
ReplyDeleteGinny
Great Buried Treasure post, I enjoyed visiting your blog!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Buried Treasure Post...You took this photo to a most exciting place...color, hollow of the hand, stretch of the neck, wine glass and the smile and of course the composition from the actual photograph all with the artist eye...easily a successful piece!
ReplyDeleteHi Jo- Love how you have your own "take" on the original photo. As usual, you have a "way" with color!-Julie
ReplyDeleteGreat treasure!
ReplyDeleteI loved it, you have an eye for color.
Thank you for sharing!
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ReplyDeleteYour painting from a photo makes it original and personal, engaging, everything a good painting is about. We all have to start somewhere...why not a photo?
ReplyDeleteI think working from photos is the only way to do it... and this is wonderful... so nice to meet up with you thanks to Seth!!
ReplyDeleteLove it, great style and movement!
ReplyDeleteMy very first oil painting way from a photo, with an eye to translating it in the style of Modigliani . . . when I look at it now it's technically dreadfull but I love it still. I'll have to did it out and photograph it for a post this weekend. Wendy
ReplyDeleteYour own photographs are the start of your creative process - I love using photographic images as a kick-off point for a painting. Lovely to meet you here.
ReplyDeleteI work with photographs all the time and seeing this great painting is inspiring. This photo was a brilliant starting point for an interesting and unique composition. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! Great work.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo, Found your blog through Seth's Buried Treasure project. You have a very original and eclectic style and I enjoyed seeing both your treasure here and the others on the rest of your blog. Besides being a digital stamp artist I also paint in oils and you right, it is not always easy to paint from real life. I have painted both from my imagination and from photos and think you have done a wonderful job on giving this piece a vibrant personality of it's own. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to your blog and am now following you through both Google and Bloglovin'.
ReplyDelete:) Chris / CS Designs
Forgive me for saying so but I hope your gauge of 'success' isn't based on sales. You are a fabulous artists and I have really enjoyed seeing this painting and it's source photo.
ReplyDeleteWonderful how you layered the colours ! So beautiful to see also how you work.... I am a strong believer that EVERYTHING is allowed in art, whatever inspires you is a good thing ! And everything needs to be explored to see what works for you . And a "no no" should be always questioned...
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