Portrait Artist of the Year and the Use Of Technology

[@TonySwaby]

I'm with Robert Henri. The moment you connect with subject is the moment you want to capture everything after that is data capture. So if the phone or ipad captures that moment and that's how it used it works for me.

[@jomackenzie7065]

That is my opinion professionally. I ask clients for resource photos so I can get an idea of their expectations.

[@GS-ow9fn]

I agree with you in that I respect the final result as art. I don’t really care about the process…but, in the case of a “contest” like Portrait Artist of the Year, it would be fun to see what the artists could do without gridding. I would enjoy that purely to watch their ability to draw a likeness.

[@jomackenzie7065]

That would be a great episode! I hope they do it. I also would love to see what would happen with 2 hours or how about limited brush strokes? How few brush strokes can you use to describe a form?

[@fatladyfarmer2025]

Great video! Love your commentary on these portrait artist of the year shows.

[@jomackenzie7065]

Thank you so much. Glad you arehere.

[@michaeltekulsky5665]

Fascinating. I didn’t know about this.

[@jomackenzie7065]

yes, hot topic. This video really took off.

[@jubestube99]

I also trace basic outlines for my portraits as that’s quick and accurate. The skill lies in what comes after ☺️

[@jomackenzie7065]

It sure does. It is a long road from the pencil to a finished painting.

[@PiyaLakwatseraChannel]

Wow interesting 😊❤

[@jomackenzie7065]

thank you !

[@evolvvartstudio]

I agree with you. And I think the idea that some people have that artists should never use technology or assistive tools is a narrow-minded and ableist one. Not to mention things like these have been used for hundreds of years, including by the great masters.

[@jomackenzie7065]

yes, It sounds like you know a lot about this. Didn't the Roman's use gridding too?

[@desmamunro3384]

I agree absolutely with you.

[@jomackenzie7065]

thank you for your comment and for joining me here.

[@loretacolantonio7398]

Ciao from Italy. Love your commentary on this programme. This discussion on the use of technology was very interesting.

[@jomackenzie7065]

Thank you so much. many of my friends have gone to your country to paint and catch the light.

[@loretacolantonio7398]

@@jomackenzie7065 you must come too👍

[@JohnHarrisonArtist]

I'm open about it. When I was at school 30 plus years ago, we'd be shunned for using most things to help paint, apart from the most basic of tools. I didn't believe in myself in my art, so I stopped until recent years. I mostly do things freehand, but only because I believe if I used a grid all the time, I wouldn't get better at it. But now I've improved and don't have an issue with it, though I still don't use a grid, apart from a basic freehand thirds etc faint line. For me, it's not so much about technology being used, it's how they use it. Some people are clearly great artists and could do a great piece of art with or without it. It's the ones who would fall short, then, it's technology that's been overused by that individual artist, but, of course, they are free to carry on. I remember seeing a video on how artists would do sketches on paper then lay it on what would be the finished piece with a layer of chalk / charcoal to trace on. Some figures from that process were used in several paintings, in one case. Well-known artists now and years ago use other artists and helpers also to do basic work on their finished paintings. So it's important for us all to remember that. So, every artist must do what they feel comfortable with. We all have differing views, but its important to keep it in context and know artists have always used things to help them, whether we agree with it or not, like you say.

[@jomackenzie7065]

Love your bird art. Keep at it! And thanks for watching!

[@ArtistInNewHampshire]

If I project, either for a building or portrait, I consider it mapping when I mark locations of features. I see discussions periodically among lower mileage to near beginners, about feeling shamed about “cheating” by arriving at their basic sketches by any other means than freehand and endless adjustments. I assure them that placing marks to guide painting features by tracing , gridding, and projecting is authentic to painting skills building and enjoyment. Enjoying the learning and processes of sketching and detail drawing is a different endeavor. The two can often interact and work together, but they are not inextricable from each other. I tell them I hope they enjoy BOTH product and process. 🤗 Patty in New Hampshire

[@jomackenzie7065]

Exactly.

[@margoyoung3503]

I don't care how much time it takes! I'm about the joy and process! Each to their own but we can all paint by numbers!

[@jomackenzie7065]

Can I share a secret? I loved paint by numbers when I was a kid! They still have them but they are more sophisticated now.

[@evolvvartstudio]

You might want to learn more about the great Renaissance artists. Many of them used the technologies available to them, or as you call it-paint by numbers. Assistive tools have been used in art for the better part of a millennium.

[@jomackenzie7065]

@@evolvvartstudio The film Tim's Vermeer taught me a lot. I have tons more to learn.

[@aphrabenn3233]

I even saw someone using tracing paper on a photo. One of the judges said it was fine and the person got through to the semi final.

[@jomackenzie7065]

wow, good eyes you have! thank you for sharing this with me.

[@richardwebb2348]

A technique used by Degas.

[@ChristianSulger]

I believe you missed the episode, I think it was possibly season 9, when a girl who used a projector won her heat. One of the presenters questioned the artistry but the judges were fine with it. I think it's the endresult that counts, but if the artist isn't capable of drawing properly then I find it a bit odd. However, Vermeer also used his own version of the camera obscura and his talent is nevertheless undeniable. The art is to bring something to life on the canvas, not whether to trace or not to trace.

[@jomackenzie7065]

yes, I did not catch that . I just watched an interview with a film maker about the use of technology and AI. It was actually encouraging us to keep creating and use these tools because humans will always out pace technology when it comes to message. We are creative people. The message is where the creativity sparks from.

[@joanneyoung1081]

Thank you for the informative video. I see artists use the phones and maybe one may have use a projector. And she won cause she put on the paint in 1 hour 58 secs. With time limited ok for phones photos closer and not much difference .They allow it. A useful tool but not depend on it .

[@jomackenzie7065]

Agreed.

[@johnlowe-tq6ey]

If the end result is emotional, artistic and good people can do what they like.....why limit art?

[@jomackenzie7065]

I agree!

[@connie6690]

I agree that it's an insult to the sitter to just look at the picture you've taken on your tablet or phone the whole time. On the other hand some of the sitters are rather fidgety and it's difficult to capture someone like that in 4 hrs.

[@jomackenzie7065]

Yes, sitting still can be a factor as well as where they position you.

[@endlessstudent3512]

I understand people saying, if you have a live model, do not use photo (which an ipad is). However, these competitions would then be highly unfair, because every sitter, depending on the pose, hast a "better" side and the painters sit in designated chairs. So the one with the good position has it a lot easier then for example the one on the other side. Usually, if a portrait artist does a commission, they can position the sitter to their best advantage. In this competition they do not have that luxury and I have seen that often the view of one or two painters onto the sitte were really horrible. Using an ipad to change the angle/view evens the chances of a good likeness out, so they all can have a good position. Also the sitters partly fidget like crazy, in a private setting, the painter would reprimand the sitter. Not possible here. But what I do not like is their use of grids, because I think a good portrait artist should not need one.

[@jomackenzie7065]

Thank you for your thoughtful analysis.

[@michelemarchesani5139]

You have Sir Ian, or any human being giving you their time, in front of you, and you paint from your phone??!! It's no wonder the portraits lack compassion and empathy. You can use whatever excuses you want as to why one might use a machine to help you make your paintings.

[@jeffreybond2742]

It’s not cheating unless there are rules, but there’s fraud. Many professionals use technology they say to save time, but the truth is they simply don’t have the skill. Besides, why are illustrations confused with fine art. I believe that there are things in this world that should not be too easy and art / fine art is one of them. The easy way is the road most taken. Great video and enjoy your commentary!

[@jomackenzie7065]

Extremely well stated. You should have made this video. You said it better.

[@nigellee9824]

I was a full-time illustrator for over 30 years, and was capable of doing whatever i was asked to do, made a good living, and brought up my family in a relatively comfortable home..but never considered myself to be an artist , there's a world of difference

[@jomackenzie7065]

@@nigellee9824 I think you are an artist indeed.

[@edwardferry8247]

There are only a handful of truly great portrait artists in human history. It’s a commercial program for mainstream art much like the musical talent shows. How people achieve commercial output which has no historical value in terms of art itself or movement of the discipline into new canonical spaces is really neither here nor there. It’s a category designed to sell product and advertising revenue; like interior designer of the year, gardener of the year, chef of the year. If Gagosian want you then those who matter in the educational and critical spaces might debate process but then they invest in longevity not flavour.

[@jamobee6178]

I see it like this; the act of copying a photograph is not art. It's turning yourself into reproduction machine. There are distinct qualities in your line and shading when you paint from life that is characteristic to you and you alone. When "everyone's an artist" what is the value of art? We sacrifice our humanity when we give in to technology. When you see a Van Gogh painting you know it's a Van Gogh because he poured himself into that painting. The definition of art is that it is a HUMAN expression. That's my two cents anyway.

[@jomackenzie7065]

You really said that so well. I wish I had been as eloquent. Thank you.

[@jamobee6178]

Thanks. It's just that it feels like we are being shoveled into a mass of unskilled, unthinking, technology consumers. Don't get me wrong, I think there is a lot of good from technology but we can't let tech steal everything from us. Sometimes, I guess, instead of letting a camera reproduce someone or something in front of us, we may want to express something that we want to say about a person or thing. I'm getting long winded but anyway I really enjoy your comments and videos. Thank you!@@jomackenzie7065

[@amethystmistarts5532]

I've noticed the heavy use of tracing images as an acceptable tool by "professionals". And it really does make me concerned that there are a lot of "artist" making money, whom if asked to draw free hand would be unable. It's like someone who calls themselves a musician, just because they put their fingers on the correct keys, while a player piano is playing. JMHO

[@jomackenzie7065]

Oh wow! That is a boundary I never considered.

[@incognito3620]

I had the volumn turned off and I didn’t see one portrait. What a crappy video. Why is she artist of the year? Art os not about talking. It is about doing. Why didn’t they show ONE portrait? Waste of my time.

[@carolineridlington5010]

That's soo funny 😂😂😂...try the sound next time...

[@richmoab]

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.