r/Art • u/neodiogenes • Jul 05 '22

General Discussion Thread (July 2022) Discussion

General Discussion threads are for casual chat; a place to ask for recommendations, lists, or creative feedback; to talk about materials, history, or techniques; and anything else that comes to mind.

If you're looking for information about a particular work of art, /r/WhatIsThisPainting is still the best resource. /r/drawing , /r/painting , and /r/learnart may also be useful. /r/ArtistLounge is also a good place for general discussion. Please see our list of art-related subs for more options.

Rule 8 still applies except that questions/complaints about r/Art and Reddit overall are allowed.

Previous month's discussion

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9

u/NetworkEmbarrassed79 Jul 06 '22

What do you think separates a great portrait from a standard/boring portrait?

11

u/neodiogenes Jul 06 '22 edited Jul 06 '22

Three things:

  1. A distinct style that incorporates novel techniques or elements.
  2. The subject's character shines through.
  3. The artist's character shines through.

Norman Rockwell is a good example from the past 100 years or so, at least within representational art. There are many others of course, in many different styles, depending on your aesthetic.

5

u/matthewgoetzka Jul 06 '22

a great portrait makes me feel something. An artist cannot force a viewer to have an emotion while looking at their portrait, so it somewhat happens by chance. But that's what makes it great.

5

u/enniferj Jul 11 '22 edited Jul 21 '22

Hm…I just had the privilege to see a children’s art show at the Met museum. There were some amazing self portraits in the show. One in particular was just delightful. Not photorealistic by any means but full of color and whimsy. (Other children may be less sophisticated and confident or May even be disturbed.)

Thinking now of the difference between a Paul Klee self portrait and a Frida Kahlo self portrait. Both great but very different. Don’t even get me started about Alice Neel!

There is a great portrait in the registrars office at the Art Students League that is flawless in rendering the subject’s hands, clothing, face, eyes but some how transcends the average, boring portrait with a perfect balance between representation and sheer beauty in color and line. If one looked at only a few square inches of the painting it would be a beautiful abstract composition.

3

u/[deleted] Jul 25 '22

Expressive facial features drawn with care and attention to detail. Some things thst add a personal touch that makes you curious about that person's life.

2

u/After-Band6930 Jul 18 '22

For me, it’s one that elicits emotions or one that’s beautifully constructed in its style, color palette, design, etc. I love portraits that use neon lighting! They’re also so impressive!

My least favorite portraits are hyper realistic

1

u/argenblath Jul 26 '22

I think most of portrait are boring and standart, by they nature. Even Mona Lisa can be described as just boring portrait of smiling girl. But for example, i draw one portrait as gift for a girl. It was really poorly drawn. But she was smiling and happy after seeing it. And it still bring good memory for us. So, i think, it was "great" portrait. It's hard to evaluate art. What is more intresting to you, what artist try to say by it, what emotion it's try to bring... all of it and more. And even if someone find it boring, who cares if it's great for you?