Portrait of an Artist: Cesar Santos | Documentary

Filmed, edited & produced by Kirsten Rincon
Special thanks to:
Cesar Santos
Moses Shumow
Matthew Manness
Olivier Waltman
Nick Korniloff
Art Miami

[@patrickwelch3274]

If we all worked as hard as he does our work would be better. He is a role model for any artist.

[@Rael64]

Cesar simply rocks. His attitude, not to mention talent, is a powerful thing, and ought be motivation for anyone today who practices art.

[@ryanembry9875]

he just beat the devil out of that brush

[@chockburst]

Rip devil

[@srashid1563]

Ryan Embry rip the greatest artist ever the late great bob ross

[@barbjerry6085]

chockburst it fabulous

[@williambuck5617]

one thing I have to buy every time I go to the art stores we artists are rough on brushes it sucks because they can be costly

[@diggerdan4661]

LOL

[@axelgs11]

🤤Gobsmacked..this man has not only extraordinary skill with paint.. but with vision and words as well👍

[@jasonhawkins8022]

What ignorant person gave this a thumbs down? This man is an inspiration!

[@kirstenrincon]

Jason Hawkins that’s what I’m saying tho! 🤣🙏

[@kirstenrincon]

that's what I'm saying tho!

[@orphansparrow2]

I think so too. I don't care for his art, but I really do appreciate it, if that makes sense. Plus I like the guy a lot. :)

[@patrickwelch3274]

I’m blind legally and even I can see a great artist.

[@jneigler]

Cesar Santos is an absolutely incredible artist. He is a gift to the World!

[@eg-g]

Bitch no, relax, you are pathetic.

[@mikhailv67tv]

Cesar your one of heroes when it comes to art. Your such a positive person.

[@everettwhite9874]

Talk about triggered--this brother triggers INSPIRATION. I hope other aspiring artist find this video and are encouraged no matter what their skill level is. This video encourages one to pursue LIFE, period. Thanks Caesar

[@clarissajocelyn2073]

thankyou for the insight. I sometimes also felt as if I'm not being expressive enough with my art because i like to draw portraits and not abstraction/ contemporary art. I felt I am not creative enough because I don't draw "weird" things. But now I know that drawing portraits is my expression as an artist. :D

[@willdixon9525]

This will make it to my FAVORITE channel list. This is what art expression should be about. thanks

[@franzgrabe1]

Talent, dedication and vision......supported by technique and hard work! A winning combination! Well done!!

[@Kitkat2870]

Just remember: those who can't do, criticize those who can.

[@EulogyfortheAngels]

Everyone is critical. It's just whether your criticism is: from an educated position, and constructive.

[@kastaylor01]

Justin A educated position and constructive is an oxymoron.

[@EulogyfortheAngels]

@@kastaylor01 clarify please. You might be misusing terms.

[@reiniergamboa]

@@kastaylor01 how so?

[@daxpace]

@@reiniergamboa educated people criticize someone's work constructively, which means to help them, and show them how the can get better and grow. As opposed to destructively, which means to harm or destroy.

[@daichimax]

Ache! Orgullo Cubano! Maestro! WOW! What can I say? maybe... I don't know... I wanna be like you ...but ...I don't know... in my next life ...because in this one ... ...already half has gone!!! Thank you for sharing.

[@taylorMFilms]

Santos is down to earth as it gets. He is also a genius.

[@aliciaesslinger7318]

Thank you Cesar for the video. I think theres a movement of artist coming out against the modern art machine of junk. Theres a lot of "artist" that can't do what you do so they tried to destroy it over the years or big wigs with money but no brains that wanted to re shape the industry. When I went to school for fine art they tried making me throw crap at the canvas and couldn't teach me anything worth while so I dropped out and went into the service. I hear stories like this a lot and its sad. After 11 years I'm still trying on my own and thank the new wave of artist on youtube that make videos like yours. Better seeing your videos then wasting money at most colleges for "art"

[@jim7684]

I totally agree to everything you say there are too many toffee nosed people involved in the art world especially if you are self-taught. best of luck in your career

[@starboy2013]

Art class distroyed my love of fine art.My partner studied fine art and said the school was full of people that could not actually paint.

[@GuillermoJaramillo]

alicia esslinger You are right

[@Aisperwin]

You're idea of art is the same idea of art back in the Renaissance. Don't be angry other individuals are trying the progress the medium while you hold onto out dated ideas and beliefs. Why is it such a big deal this individual can paint a portrait like a photo? We have cameras that can do the same thing but better. Art has no other direction but to be pushed into different boundaries and ideas. Van Gough work was scoffed at for being impression and not "life like". Now he is considered one of the most influential painters in the world. You're ideology is exactly like those who scoffed at his work. I'm glad you did drop out of art school, because judging by your opinion you didn't pay any attention and would have taken your cancerous beliefs and plague the art community with them.

[@Aisperwin]

@Antonio Giuseppe no duh dude. That's literally what I'm saying, and the comment I replying to is saying what art is and isn't which is bullshit.

[@wings71-p77]

Finally a great and talented artist who voiced just how I've felt about my art for years and I wish I would have heard him when I was younger. I used to just listen to the kind of artist you mentioned and put my art on a shelf to work at a regular job, being miserable. My love for art started when I was two years old and my parents gave me a small easel and paint set. now I'm older and my husband wants me to satisfy my desire to paint realism that I love to do. Thank you so much for putting this artist out there for us.

[@brandtbecker1810]

Thank you Cesar and Matthew for keeping the classical traditions alive. As a composer, I ran into the same garbage philosophy from the "academics" regarding the need to be "expressive" (i.e. modern and hard to listen to). As a result, I went in a different direction professionally and only wrote music for my own enjoyment. Cesar and Matthew were brave enough to follow their dreams into reality. Cheers!

[@paulklee5790]

B Becker ...your talking bollox and you know it.

[@rupertrozells5816]

Santos is an amazing painter. His passion for painting is reflected in his photo like images. Absolutely out of this world

[@gloriagarcia5047]

A great ,fantastic artist Cesar Santos.Love your art one of the best.

[@muffinmaker6264]

Ive been following this guy for a long time. He’s amazing.

[@Seamo57]

Learn the rules & then break them !! Caesar’s work is phenomenal- the schools today often do exactly what he says. Break out, but do what you love!

[@K_drama20]

great example of consistency ,dont b afraid of taking risks ,believe in yourself ,if u believe yourself nothing is difficult to achieve ,- very motivational documentry

[@kirstenrincon]

KOMAL MATHUR Amen! I’m glad you enjoyed it :)

[@sadsod2197]

Spot on, talent is given and earned anything close is taught.

[@phylr3983]

LOVE this AMAZING brilliantly talented soul and his spectacular expressions of life!!!

[@johnkilrainblackstone6986]

It's time to put beauty back into art.

[@monicaangelini3324]

why?

[@Player500-1]

Nah we have too many narcissist...it's time to bring the ugly truth back to art!! 😂

[@nine-vi7rw]

Sounds boring.

[@HostileLemons]

@@nine-vi7rw the only thing boring is watching shit paint splatter being called art.

[@mutableparameter4598]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. If you're an artist reading this, just know your uniqueness is greatly appreciated! Thank you for this Cedars .

[@mutableparameter4598]

*Cesar

[@GinaRodas]

his first words about people who try to put down your passions for painting in that way made me feeling better and reflect inside that I am not alone and that there is more people struggling with contemporary art issues...

[@vduron1]

Incredible paintings. Nice honest documentary. Thank you for sharing.

[@anastasiask1570]

This is truly an ARTIST. I agree completely with what he said and I give him much respect. Loved this video.

[@kirstenrincon]

Anastasia Sk Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carolineullrich7323]

You are truly blessed. Such talent. you are definitely the tops!!!!

[@MasterAlgae]

We so need more artists like Cesar, the time for beauty and inspiration must be near the tipping point.

[@cristianrodriguez6285]

Maestro Santos., son exelentes tus trabajos, amo el arte. gracias por compartir con otros artistas tis ecperiencias , saludos desde Ecuador

[@kathyyoung99]

His portraits are sublime. So glad he stayed true to his goals as an artist!

[@davidrosacalderin3601]

En un mundo donde el relativismo y la mediocridad es la orden del día, tu trabajo es un oasis de frescura. Bravo!

[@gloriagarcia5047]

Espectacular, Fantastico 🎉 Cesar Santos#1🥇

[@BabciCathy]

You made my day! I have tears in my eyes from hearing you speak about beauty and classical paintings. I am inspired...back to my easel. Thank you

[@InefficientCustard]

"The portrait of an Artist" only four words away from being a masterpiece

[@josediazdiaz8001]

Grandísimo Cesar Santos , una referencia , gran artista, real y superdotado talento en estos "fake times"..

[@theodorostsilikis4025]

agree with the guy 100%,very well said,no need to coment his work,its great, just upload more of his way of painting here in youtube so we can see more of his layer process and maybe the old methods will get back some of the respect they lost.

[@tkd-zo4iu]

theodoros tsilikis he has a youtube channel 😄

[@nasiriguzman125]

Wow i thought i was alone. Something similar is happening to me where professors and students always make me feel bad about my classical art ( or bullied it). by saying the same exact two words=that has been done or you need to be more expressive. i starting asking my self what was i doing wrong because proportion, perspective and color are not bad and my still life and portraits look almost realistic. They never have anything to say about all the details and how well done the artwork is, but they just ignore it or say those famous words ( it has been done and more expressive). Thank you for such inspiring documentary.

[@theguythatwillmakeit]

Sounds like jealously to me, I am not familiar with the ways within art school. But it sounds your doing something well, in my experience people only have something negative to say when that what they judge impressive. Think of it like this, if something is not worth talking about people usually don’t spend much time contemplating. When we as humans see something that reaches beyond our expectations, we are provoked. We realize that what is possible within the realms of art, we get anxious. Because it is one last reminder of what we could do as humans and simultaneously we remember it takes hard work an dedication. It takes energy to reach a certain level and as humans we are lazy, so instead of improving ourselves we play down other peoples work. So we feel better. So be proud, if people have opinions about you and your work you evoked their feelings.

[@bio-plasmictoad5311]

You can't compare yourself others I think. You will always be discouraged if you do, do it your way, but learn from them.

[@sherrid.padilla1473]

Good for you for standing strong. You're one of the top artists alive today. A man great in his own time. Congratulations. Your art blesses many.

[@SuDaChiWa]

"It should be a relationship between the Art and the Viewer". Wonderful statement, all the whoopla down to one simple thing, if it speaks to someone, moves them in whatever way for whatever reason, that's the juice. Gives me hope.

[@rishavsinha3376]

Technical skill + expressive = maestro.

[@Misana]

Thank you for sharing this. My goodness. He speaks the truth.

[@hoparapka]

This is a lovely documentary! I haven't watched anything this pleasant in a while. I'm so glad I found out about Cesar. Thanks!

[@mrgagegreen]

Very impressive. Cesar has made all the right moves. Thanks Kristen-good job

[@robinaanstey3734]

Brilliant!! GFY Cesar!!

[@matrinoresendez]

Gracias Cesar por compartir. Aprendo mucho de tus vídeos

[@2209009pm]

Cesar Santos is a great artist, sometimes his compositions throw me off but there is no doubt that Cesar is a master artist.

[@777-Phil]

Excellent tidbits. Myself, I'm not into commercialization ... just satisfaction while communicating with God's most excellent creation ... the head.

[@daynight1night247]

Hail Cesar! Now this artist deserves more fame than most of Hollywood losers!

[@Bright-It]

Contemporary Art is what we are looking for. today. Classical art has its place in history.

[@janettecoleman2357]

No bs artist, wonderful!

[@loboestepario2424]

12:08 that's unfortunately the legacy of the XX century: war, darkness, death & misery brought the worst to Art as well. As we are moving forward to this century, the need for beauty and amazement will continue to grow, as Cesar's Art shows.

[@sedthapongzidaneuansin2206]

Cesar, you are my idol of a portrait oil paintings.... Keep going on., I follow you, from Thailand.

[@chopin65]

Interesting man. I am glad to see classic representation has a place in the world. His observation about negativity is spot on. I studied writing at the Art Institute of Chicago, and you always felt this kind of reaffirming of Post Modern pessimism coming out of the instruction. I have wicked respect for his skills and positive outlook. It's refreshing.

[@rickyvilla9213]

Love you Cesar love your work classic is contemporary siempre

[@javierdelfierro4180]

You are an incredible artist and your art is great. I really admire you

[@mycollegeshirt]

it's really a rare artist that can paint black people accurately, and that painting of the little baby was insane

[@PentonODD]

"That's been done before"- I heard the same thing in my college. What is it? When you became a college art professor do you get a script or something?

[@Ethanmor]

That was the same thing we were told forty-five years ago. It is in a sense a script. Its taken me a lifetime to understand how all this wonderful training and traditions were destroyed in such a short time. The rise of modernism did not have to mean the destruction or near destruction of the classical tradition, but it did. Both types of art can co-exist, but the modernists were in a sense the first proponents of a sort of cancel culture, they simply espoused this notion that because its "all been done before," that there was no reason to ever draw or paint realistically again. And, its seldom challenged. The idea that painting realistically should ever be abandoned because others have painted figuratively is preposterous, the same claim could have been made in 1800 or 1700 or 1600 had someone broken the mold and come out with neo-primitivism or abstraction then. But the birth of the modern coincided with the early art history classes, with the early art critics and because they almost all came from the avant garde, their views were institutionalized. It all trickled down from the influential schools like Harvard and Yale that had these classes (Oxford did not even offer an art history degree until about forty years ago) and so the "been there, done that" attitude became universal. It didn't matter where you took Art History 101, the same "Impressionism good, Academics and tradition bad," shorthand was what you heard. And, almost no professor even knew what academic training entailed because they had no interest and almost nothing was written about it. There were a few like Albert Boime and Gerald "Jerry" Ackerman who came around to do it in the last forty years. In general if you were a more traditionally oriented painter who had no established his reputation by about 1895-1900, you were simply forgotten, not worth anything because the bulk of your career was superseded (in the art establishment's view) by modernism. The American artist Kenyon Cox was one who defended and wrote about the classical tradition, he was part of what is now described as "The American Renaissance" with artists and sculptors such as St. Gaudens and Abbott Thayer. So, the techniques of the classical school were kept alive by just a few artists in the West (classical instruction was alive in the Soviet Union in St. Petersburg and Moscow) by painters such as Theodore Lukits in California, Mrs. Simi in Florence and R.H. Ives Gammell and his students in Boston and then Minneapolis. The classical methods can be used to express anything the painter wants to express, there is no limit to an artist's imagination and of course we still listen to operas and symphonies that were composed hundreds of years ago played by artists who learned classical techniques, so painting using these tools is just as valid today as it ever was.

[@williambuck5617]

there will always be value in true classical style art and your sir are an amazing artist the modern art is a way for those with no real talent to say they are artists its like the trophy for last place

[@margietalk]

gotta love this guy! wild talent and great spirit. gotta keep art alive.

[@skykaarts9855]

The great artist in the world cesar Santos🖌🖌🖌🖌🖌🖌🖌🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😊😊

[@scroez]

Thank you for your film, Subscribed cheers : ) I think he's correct with modern art schools today. I enjoyed my time in both further and higher art school, I had wonderful teachers My graffiti background helped me, though some tutors would try to change my natural desire to paint realism, It still screws my head I long to paint urban street culture there's a 1000 different stories each day, I also want to paint politics. I need a studio for the large canvases in oil & Spray paint mix media etc. But going back to ceasar. He's so right about how many tutors want you to basically become offspring of their art usually conceptual art. usually trying to pull you from what your own style and art. You're already paying good money to learn about how and what techniques you want to hear or be inspired to produce art., Ceasar has so much style and gift and has that rebellious nature that I think is healthy as an artist.

[@roseannepeters6874]

Cesar, Thank you.. I may be old, but there was a great deal I learned from you - you youngster. I must have viewed your first video more than 20 times. Your darling wife looked so happy in the Beginning and you painted her looking rather unhappy by the time you finished. I have just received your video on “the secrets of figure drawing.” I couldn’t see your first lines at all, so I assume that your charcoal was very hard. I am looking forward to getting into it. I really like the way you talk about and describe things.. well done

[@Seamo57]

scroez cvk yes! I feel you So much bro

[@UlrikD1]

Great to see his skills, technique and artistry. Classical art has beauty and touch people' s hearts on a deeper level. Therefor it's lasting and endurable art, contrary to modern art, which is distorted and comes from a dark and deluded mindset.

[@sandramalone3522]

Your work is amazing, a true gift from God, and hopefully will visit your gallery as I live close in Fort Lauderdale. Wonderful work, can't say enough about it.

[@guygoodwin2104]

Good documentary. Like his self confidence and admire his technical excellence.

[@kirstenrincon]

Guy Goodwin So happy you enjoyed it ☺️

[@jamiej.tilleyphotographyar5177]

An incredible talent, who has worked very hard to get where he is. Seems like a genuine and nice person too.

[@divinedia]

Beautiful thanks for inspiring so many people and bringing classical realism to light

[@Ymtemidatie]

This documentary was like an awakening for me. Such an amazing artist, very inspiring

[@camberwellart]

a beautiful gift, just inspirational, thank you for sharing.

[@kirstenrincon]

Jan Lowe I’m glad you enjoyed it! xx

[@Taichientaoyin]

Great artist with a Miamistic perspective about my beautiful Cuba.

[@shannoncrowley7626]

Nice documentary, you deserve my subscription! Also hail Cesar!!

[@kirstenrincon]

Shannon Crowley Thank you!

[@tomadams3528]

Viva la revolution of art. Viva.

[@phamvantuyen3317]

I am an artist from Vietnam. I can oil paint but I'm very impressed by this video

[@dinohudson1432]

Great Documentary!....Wished that it was a bit longer.

[@mariamqureshi9848]

Really nicely edited and produced! The artist highlighted is also amazing!!! I thought I would never see more artists like me who create their galleries and express the contemporary in a more traditional way. :)

[@kirstenrincon]

Thank you!!

[@georgeanderson7499]

If there ever is an American edition of Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year, I hope Cesar gets to be a judge on that show. He'd make an excellent judge. The perfect contemporary to Tai Shan Sherenberg of the British show.

[@libbysmithstudio]

Thank you! I am a classical painter also. People fought me the same way and want me to paint contemporary, but many didn't want me to even chase my dreams because I'm also visually impaired. As long as I have color, I will paint portraits and people. Your work is what I aspire to be one day. You're amazing!

[@kuchi214]

Libby Smith Art can you give me some advice or links to learn classical painting?

[@libbysmithstudio]

Tim Sabas I just started doing tutorial videos. Cesar Santos is amazing! I love these videos! 💙

[@gascaartpaint9263]

I Love this video i just feel so identified! My dream is to study at angel academy of Florence italy too! and Cesar is so pasion by his work as i do, he just inspired me! You got my admiration, muchos más éxitos mi amigo!

[@vib7679]

I am another victim of contemporary art practices. I love classical painting too, and portraiture. And that's exactly why I've been oppressed as a contemporary art student. It's gone to the point when my art tutor called my academic portrait drawings, I quote, a "bullshit". Contemporary art teaching is fraud and you must never let those who can't draw or paint tell you what to do.

[@lujagoa]

Less talented people wanted to be called artists so they invented contemporary and conceptual art forms. It can never be on par with realism and traditionalism.

[@johnkilrainblackstone6986]

This dark era will be over soon. Beauty will return in arts.

[@9lilypadnine]

Vita Brevis w

[@BielichDai]

@@lujagoa realism is boring, it has nothing to do with talent. Put this man next to Danny Fox and I'll choose Danny Fox any day of the week.

[@BielichDai]

picasso said you don't have to paint the sistine chapel, all you have to do is be an interesting painter. Interesting is the key word, not talentless.

[@TheCombatartist]

4 years old now, I wonder how much he has changed since this was made?

[@rameshwortandukar]

Hey Cesar I love classics too. Thanks Kristen!! Subscribing....

[@kirstenrincon]

Thank you!

[@patricia4453]

I love his studio, I want my room to look like that

[@fredarobertsonhall1532]

Wow! What a great artist!

[@Elena-Studio]

Wow! I am inspired. It is obvious that he had the talent in the first place (not many of us have that, where we are originally seen for what we want to do) but it shows that coloring outside the lines has more success than coloring in the lines that others have restricted you to paint in. Love his work! Definitely hope I can get to that kind of talent in my own work some day

[@charlesvanhorn1560]

Cesar, our philosophy on art is identical. I have just finished reading a book by Michelle Marder Khami called Bucking the Artworld Tide-- Reflections on Art, Pseudo Art, Art Education & Theory. It covers how the art world is dismissing academic art for contemporary abstract garbage. Excuse me, but I am not as open minded as you. I am passionate about academic realism. Thank you for teaching me how to improve my skills. At 82, I must improve fast because I am on that final glide path. God Bless you.

[@deusmorthem441]

Always inspired. Thank you for sharing.

[@taryn.b]

Yaaas Kirsten! That was very enjoyable to watch. You've got them frame skills! And I see the artist captured you perfectly. That must've been such a cool experience overall.

[@marthajimenez9334]

I love your work Cesar Santos! Great documentary film Kirsten Rincon!

[@kirstenrincon]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@alihosseinbeigi5219]

woooooow👏👏👏

[@andrew98115wl]

Contemporary art is useful if you're looking for something to decorate your living room wall with.

[@lucyinwonderlandart]

My dream is to be a portrait artist! He is amazing! Very inspirational!

[@karenecurran7895]

You have been very helpful. Your art is amazing. Thank you

[@fjaviersaiz]

cesar, gracias. Se nota que hablas desde el corazon

[@17jaren]

Awesome work love it 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@kirstenrincon]

Thanks, Oscar! :)

[@jayglamx3]

He is just unbelievable 😍

[@kimsinza]

Wonderful vide.Thank you for posting

[@pru666]

He's....beautiful. And creates beauty. Im in love.

[@Demorie]

13:02 this part is so important. People need to understand that.