It's like the Super Bowl... OF ART

[the_deep_magic]

This is by far my favorite portrait that I've done so far -- and it pissed off my drawing teacher to no end.



Well, maybe that's exaggerating a bit, but he was certainly critical of it.  He's definitely not mean about it, but his whole thing is that even the lightest part of anything in shadow can't be lighter than the darkest part of what's in the light.  (Feel free to reread that -- you have to hear it a few times before it makes sense.)  For example, he said that, from where I was sitting, the guy's right eye should be completely in shadow: "I'm not seeing a pupil and the white of the eye.  I'm just seeing shadow."  I want to continue to learn from him, but I swear we were seeing two completely different things.  Maybe he's being tougher on me because he thinks I'm getting complacent, or just doing the same thing over and over?

Anyway, I can't be bothered to give a flying fuck what the teacher said, because during one of the breaks, the model came around and looked at our pictures, and this is what he said to me, verbatim: "I really feel something when I look at this.  The eyes -- that's how I see myself."  I just about fell over.  How much more amazing a compliment can you get?  So, with all due respect, my art teacher can suck on it.  Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to flounce off stage right.

Comments

[medea-fic.livejournal.com]

Well, as someone whose artistic tendencies begin and end at stick figures, I think this is fantastic. :)

[perdiccas.livejournal.com]

This is so GOOD, omg! I feel like I could totally recognize this guy if he walked down my street.

I bet he's being harder on you because you're one of the best in the class, so he wants to push you to be even better? Such a teacher thing to do! *hugs*

[therumjournals.livejournal.com]

heehee, YAY! you did good eyeballs!

[feanna.livejournal.com]

I could see how that eye should be darker overall, but I also think that losing contrast in that area, even if theoretically right can make faces look off very easily. So I think I'm in favour of seeing both eyes clearly, but it it were possible to make the eye a little bit darker I might go for that?

Really, this is a great portrait though! No matter whether it's techincally perfect, you can see the guy looking out at you. It's SAYING something and that's worth much more than the techinical stuff.

I'd maybe agree with those who said that the teacher might just be telling you stuff to make you EVEN better and technique can help you do what you want to do.

[aliassmith.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine anything more nerve-wracking than having the model come around and look at all the art. Having his good opinion deserves the biggest of high fives! This is really gorgeous stuff.

[danack.livejournal.com]

Screw the teacher. If they guy you drew was complimentary, that says a lot. I think it's really good!