So, today I hope I can make up for neglecting you with a little treat.
Actually, it is a BIG treat. Please click on the photo's on this post to enlarge... actually - these are not photo's but paintings!
Let me introduce my friend, Johannes Wessmark.... Johannes is an artist - but not just any artist. Johannes does something really special and is the best I have ever seen. In a conversation with some of my other artist friends, we were wondering why Johannes' photorealism is so special.I felt that Johannes only uses a photo as a reference and draws upon his instinct and memory to paint instead of trying to copy the photograph. That is why his work has dimension and depth and even passion. And eventually Johannes came along and answered the comments.
Johannes: "I paint in some ways like you guess, Avril. After sketching the work I have the reference-photo put up beside my painting but I use it only as a reference when I think I need. I add or leave out details all the way through the work. Not copying the photo 100%. Memory and mood does absolutely have its influence."
I have seen many works of photorealism before. Many lack dimension and depth and is just a flat copy of a photograph. This work, however, is what photo realism is all about.Btw... you can see more of the incredible world of Johannes Wessman at his website as well as our bubble sites.
Wishing you every success, Johannes!!
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6 comments:
WOW - Talk about patience and talent rolled together! Those are fantastic. Just fantastic. I checked out his site, also. You are certainly right. The works have a depth you would never see in just a photograph.
Thanks for sharing this talented artist with us, Avril.
Hi Baker, thanks dear friend.
Photorealism and photography are two different things. Photography is an art on its own (like your gorgeous photographs, Baker) It takes great skill and knowledge to do good photographs. But more than that! Most people can take good photographs - with the digital cameras and equipment nowadays, a monkey could take a 'good' photograph!
But like an artist, only a photographer with the eye of artistry, for THAT special moment, correct lighting, depth, perspective, etc, takes photographs that makes you go AHHHHH!
There are artists who do nothing more than colouring in - there is no passion, no real skill, nothing comes from the imagination or the heart. They sit in rows and copy the works of the great masters but are empty inside.
Photorealism (painting) is a genre all on its own. I don't even particularly like it because (in my opinion) it serves no purpose in today's world when cameras can do a better job. It's a challenge and when its done well, the results are beautiful.
Doing it well... now that's the cinch!
And that is why I am so excited to see photorealism by Johannes.
He does more than copy the photograph... he draws upon his gut feeling, his memory and uses passion to create his art.
Religiously copying a photograph has the danger of the artist being so obsessed with the imitation that they miss the difference between camera and canvas.
Lots of boring stuff, eh Baker!
My friend, you are an excellent and talented photographer (and writer). I dabble with paints and have lots of fun but I am also very passionate about my paintings. Not always a good recipe for success.
Wow! They are awesome!
Thanks sandy, my friend! Hope you are well? I will be visiting you soon!
First, thanks for the kind words, Avril. Personally I think I'm the most amatuer of photgraphers technically, but perhaps I have a decent eye for what is good after the photograph is taken.
I know what you mean about the 'imitation' or 'copying'. I have a cousin who is quite an accomplished artist in my opinion. Well, I guess in the opinion of many as he made his living as an artist for years. (He once told me he didn't consider himself as a professional until he went 10 years without a 'regular job' as he put it, lol.)
Over the years he experimented with different mediums and styles and at one time (25-30 years ago) he produced a good bit of work in photorealism. Although we never discussed it in detail specifically, I think perhaps he gravitated away from it as, although he was technically very talented, he realized that his paintings weren't up to his standard artistically. I don't think they conveyed what he wanted them to and perhaps he thought they never would.
Most artists do that, Baker. We are mostly unsatisfied with our own work. I have tried different mediums as well and I think I just love oils because it remains a challenge.
Oils do so many different things whereas other mediums like acrylics and water colours - well you use water. With oils there are so many different things to experiment with and I find new ways and mediums with every painting.
Baker, your photo's are beautiful, please follow to where I go and see what happens.
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