I consider painting a figure or face is a portrait of the individual's essence. The degree of toughness is the same if done well. Boris Shoshensky To: [email protected] Subject: Re: "Again and again experience has proved that the more deeply versed an artist is in drawing, the less he is able to paint portraits." (Giovanni Battista Armenini) Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 08:23:24 -0700 (PDT)
So, it's tougher to paint the whole figure, and to "delineate" it correctly than it is to draw/paint portraits. I think the comment really says that the best artists can't waste time doing portraits. But I'm eager to read other interpretations. WC ----- Original Message ---- From: Michael Brady <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sun, June 13, 2010 9:57:37 AM Subject: Re: "Again and again experience has proved that the more deeply versed an artist is in drawing, the less he is able to paint portraits." (Giovanni Battista Armenini) Context: "As for the painting of portraits, we shall not waste time in showing you the methods, for any indifferently gifted artist can master them sufficiently, provided he has some practice in coloring and keeps in mind the true hues; whereas proficient painters who consider the difficult points of our art are unwilling to apply their minds to portraits, because, being thoroughly schooled in the art, they know well those things which the majority are ignorant of and which common and low talents avoid with all their power. Assuredly, other study, other industry, other intelligence, and other labor are required to paint one or more life-size nudes, in color, with all their muscles and other details in the right places and, further, so delineated and shaded that they will stand out from the surface on which they are painted! Again and again experience has proved that the more deeply versed an artist is in drawing, the less he is able to paint portraits." Giovan Battista Armenini, "On the True Precepts of Painting," Ravenna, 1587
