Tag Archives: Art

Dec23

The Rules of the Art Model

Posted on by
The Rules of the Art Model

There are those for whom art
is a calling, a particular life path that makes it more than a hobby. For most painters, or most people learning the craft of it in a painting class, it’s a hobby that could one day turn into a calling. It’s better to investigate first, however, and take as much time, and as many classes, as possible, before making any decisions.

There’s no question that it offers innumerable rewards for everyone, including a sense of well-being, along with a great opportunity to learn some skills that apply to any art of making one’s surroundings more beautiful. Beginning artists are always concerned with these lofty things, but there are other, more basic questions, and one of the most common one is: what are the protocols, if any, for being in the same room with a live model ?

For any student artist, then, of any life path, there will be encounters with live models if the studio is genuinely committed to learning. The first encounters with a human being disrobing in front of a class are almost always uneasy, or even a little disarming. Even people who are completely comfortable with the idea will have a little bit of anxiety when it comes to the actual practice.

It’s no question that the quality of the work takes on a new level, and the essence of drawing or painting people deals with anatomical principles. These principles can only be hinted at with clothes. That part of it is fairly straightforward, but what are the rules?

Basically, what the student needs to keep in mind, are three simple things. Be polite, look at the model, and draw (or paint). Beyond that, any questions should be directed at the model coordinator . If the student needs a better view, or if it looks as though the pose has changed when it’s not supposed to, the coordinator is the one who makes the call, and the final judgments.

Never make unsolicited comments, especially at the very beginning. Some models like to establish a good repoir with classes, and some don’t, so let them be the guide. But never make inappropriate comments.

There may be some classes where the student might want to continue the work on their own. Some models will allow photographs, and some won’t. Best to ask the coordinator, and always tip the model in that situation. Allowing a photograph means that they are potentially losing income they could be earning by posing, so compensation is a good rule of thumb.

Good models are very hard to come by, and an attitude of mutual respect is one that will keep the good ones coming back. Every studio understands that. And every artist, whether it is their calling or their hobby, comes to learn that.

Jun12

Barcelona Artist Joan Miro

Posted on by
Barcelona Artist Joan Miro

Joan Miro was an early 20th century Spanish painter, ceramicist and sculptor. He was born in April, 1893 in Barcelona. He is internationally known and is typically classified as a Surrealist. He was born into a family of watchmakers and goldsmiths, and developed his fascination with the arts early in life. In 1920 he moved to Paris and become associated with the growing Montparnasse arts community. It was during his years in Paris and through the inspiration of fellow artists that he developed his own style. Many tourists who visit Barcelona are attracted to the museums and various artists that have sprung from this great city. Barcelona’s dynamic cultural heritage is a major attraction to guests staying in a Barcelona Spain hotel.

Miro was known for his contempt with the status quo and his opposition to standard painting styles, which he considered to be supportive of the bourgeois society. He much preferred to upset the standard visual patterns and style of paintings and create a new perspective from a unique viewpoint. He believed this would re-orient viewers to both art and the world. One of his ways of doing this was by establishing the automatic drawing technique, which he believed would undo previously established painting styles.

Miro worked and collaborated with other artists. One of his collaborations occurred in 1926 with Max Ernst. They worked together on designs for Sergei Diaghilev. Ernst is credited with the development of the grattage technique , and Miro helped him to do this. The grattage technique is a style of painting where pigment is troweled onto the canvass. Miro also worked with the printer Fernand Mourlot whom he met in Paris. The two of them formed a close friendship that would last for forty years. Their friendship is responsible for the creation of over one thousand lithograph editions.

Jun8

Singapore, Changing the World Through Art

Posted on by
Singapore, Changing the World Through Art

The Singapore Arts Festival is just about to begin its final week, with the closing ceremonies at 8 on Thursday, June 14, 2009. This festival began during 1977, with the intention of celebrating the diversity of the communities throughout Singapore and featuring their rich talent and work. Local arts were featured and within the last thirty years, the festival has served a catalytic and symbiotic part in the development of culture and the artistic life of Singapore. This has brought many new faces into the city, staying in the Singapore luxury hotels and wandering throughout the festival, catching glimpses of a different side of the city. Concerned about the world view of Singapore, organizers wanted to show the world that it was not just a country of strict rules, laws and oppression, that the cultural diversity of the people of this country would be evident in the artwork, visual and performance. This festival has contributed greatly to the changing face of the city. Now, it is one of the capitals of culture throughout Asia. Artists are continuing to be influenced by each other, are continuing to influence the art scene and creating new venues and movements that are adding to the beauty of this city.

What started as a festival of traditional art forms has now become one of the most innovative, progressive and bold movements on the international art scene. Artists that work in different forms are collaborating, bridging disciplines and thus bridging the boundaries of culture, geography and language. Performances are becoming more esoteric in nature, and dealing with social issues such as life in the urban setting, history and migration, and abstract issues such as memory, and love and philosophy. This event is bringing out the young and promising artists of tomorrow, and is encouraging further interaction between other artists from the region, as well as others internationally. And as many of the performances are held outdoors, free to the public, the locals of Singapore are experiencing the world of art the moment they walk out of their doors. The theme of the closing ceremony, “Crackers?” is …”an invitation to be brave”. It is a show of fireworks and performers that promises a thrilling close to this ever increasingly thrilling event.