Quick Tip 436 - Renaissance Tracing

Did the Masters use tools to trace the outlines for their paintings? Artist/art teacher Dianne Mize shares her take on the subject.
www.diannemize.com
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[@fsll1575]

I think the whole point of those ''lost technic'' stories is to make money out of people who wants to believe in dishonesty of others or that they can't imagine that people from the past were not as clever, talented as we are today. And sadly it robs those artists long gone of there merits.

[@halallen55]

We have artist now that do ultra-realism with no aids. What makes anyone believe it couldn't be done in the 12th century. Could be the non-believers cannot draw or paint themselves?

[@sylviefleurant6138]

This video was so interesting , because Vermeer is my favorite painter. I love it when you give us history lesson. The way you “simplify “ make it easy to understand and we can see the process. Thank you very much.

[@MrJohnd1951]

I remember I had seen the mentioned video. I was very impressed by it , but ultimately I believe in the masters' ability to draw and paint without special tools. I myself could draw quite well since my childhood, and if I could it then. let alone what the great masters could do! We celebrate the masters' , great and small, exceptional talent to draw. It was their profession, their life, they gave up everything else. We must be humble enough to accept, that most of us will never reach their heights. So we solemnly admire their exceptional talent. Thank you for a excellently argued issue.

[@alkasarin1073]

So profound and so .much knowledge imparted so articulate Dianne. Thanks

[@thomassutrina8296]

Lucida projector used by biologist etc. drawing plants, insects, animals, etc. before the camera. Scientific drawing for identification was the purpose. So the insects and animals were typically dead. I am sure some landscapes were done for example showing the nesting etc. and where things lived. And since it exist actual landscapes not for scientific purposes.

[@evelyndominguez4757]

I don’t believe projecting an image can make it realistic but it can start you off with the correct proportions.

[@candywarmuth6241]

Facinating. I say, to each their own. If they did use these we should be glad. If not we should strive to be as precise in our art. I feel questioning one's talent is judgement. Not a fan of it. There is a reason the masters have name recognition spanning centuries. I will never remember the name of those only known for assuming.

[@carolynzolas3314]

Very interesting! Especially the discussion of Vermeer and his pin holes. One- and two-point perspective!

[@pennyparks7997]

The concept of 'the veil' that DaVinci employed was very eye-opening to me with a related a exercise from 'Beginning Drawing program in the Great Courses"', to actually draw on a window what I saw beyond it. (Essentially tracing the outside world.) Living in a small city on the 10th floor gives me a variety of views from my three window tiny apartment. This changed my whole perspective and allowed me to step up my drawing to a higher level of detail and accuracy.

[@sandyb4693]

Thanks for all the information! I found that very interesting and thought provoking.

[@rayc839]

Very thought provoking.....thank-you Dianne.

[@goharavetisyan1273]

Thank you for wonderful sharing!

[@jeffreybond2742]

Consider magic. Is it real or an illusion? There are no secrets if it’s real. If it’s an illusion, there are many. Centuries are full of trade secrets.

[@pizzamanpodesta145]

Fascinating, thanks for all the info and explaining these concepts so clearly.

[@paulamitchem1476]

I believe the softening of edges you described is called sfumato, whereas chiaroscuro is the use of strong contrast of light and dark.

[@mariegamber]

Thank you for a wonderful lesson.

[@kevingould9730]

Ok, good points. But what about Hockney's assertion that there's an unusually high number of left-handed subjects in the Masters' paintings, consistent with their having being traced over a projection?

[@aekorfker]

I feel like trying to find hidden techniques could be(come) an excuse for the difference in quality other than plainly putting in the work. Good questions!