Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Hill
Good question, probably a Pierce Brosnan I did.
Its probably been replaced now by an updated,better version.
which brings me to another point.I read a lot on these forums and the net about "this bust being better than than bust,or this being a better likeness than that one".
A lot of these things are about timing. If I chose to do a head today of say ..Tobey Maguire ,it has nothing to be compared to so its just a work of art.
But if the next sculptor comes along and decides to do one he now has a level to compare,to surpass.It will inevitably be a tighter rendition because now he knows he will be judged(of course thats assuming they are both on the same skill level).He now has the advantage plus hes seen the other guys piece,which means additional reference.
So when a new version comes along ,assuming its on a commercial basis, it SHOULD be an improvement.if it aint,then why bother?
Also I dont usually keep rehashing the same character over and over to get it 100%,when Ive done it,its done. I usually see things I could improve but thats what makes an artist. i prefer to move on or else I would go insane.
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Best post I've read in a long time!....
First of all, I want to say that You are a fantastic sculptor. Someone may sculpt a tighter interpretation of a figure, but that does not make it better. The current trend of hyper detailing (skin pores etc..) is a result of this hobbies obsession with modeling details. Modeling and sculpting are very different.
Absolute realism is a copy of nature and can be accomplished by any number of talented modelors. Anything can be measured and duplicated if given enough time and man hours. Good representational sculpting (art) is bringing to light the hidden life in the subject. It is dynamic and original and should show the viewer something beyond what they can observe in the natural world. Mike, you can do it all in my opinion!
I recently attended an exhibition of Ron Muecks work. He is actually a whole team of accomplished modelors doing the same thing that many other less self promoting artists have been doing for decades. The reaction to the work is the same as one would hear in a wax museum, " it looks so real" or "now that's really creepy"! This kind of modeling draws all the attention to the process in a "how did they do that"? kind of way, but never resonates as a work of inspiration. Please dont get me wrong...it is amazing and requires very talented detail oriented craftsmen to achieve.
Art however,turned the corner with a single portrait...Rodins Balzac...and has never looked back. He accomplished more with less than seemingly anyone else had ever done before. What few people know is that Rodin was actually knocking off an unknown contemporary of his...a young genius named
Medardo Rosso.
Please Google his name and check out what I think are some of the most powerful works of portraiture ever created. Art history is just catching up with him and his impact on Rodin and by extension all figurative art since. I am sure most statue collectors would be quick to dismiss this work as unfinished.
Anyway, bravo to you Mike and all of your amazing work!
..we had send out pictures and portfolios.
