Eric Alexander Santoli
  • HOME
  • BIO
  • PORTFOLIO
    • DRAWINGS
    • WATERCOLORS
    • OIL PAINTINGS
  • COMMISSIONS
  • TEACHING
  • LINKS
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG

Squinting at Your Subject

4/27/2015

0 Comments

 

Tools for seeing and application.

  Many art instructors, at one point or another, suggest to their students that they "squint" at their subject.  Squinting your vision is an extremely useful way of viewing your model.  This is why many teachers immediately suggest it as a way to ease the artistic process.
  In a sense, they're ways to simplify the subject.  And any work of drawing, painting and composition thrives on simplicity.  As with any tool or way to operate, my goal is to share some truthful strategies and not to set any limits on their function.  
  When you squint at an object, even in bright sunshine, you will notice a dramatic downplay in the value and clarity of the object.  The world becomes darker because less light is hitting your retina and also because the world is full of midtones and darks.  To control midtones and darks is the key to a great painting.  I don't want to confuse this with blurring your vision because unfocusing your eyes is a very different tool.  Squinting is about seeing a truer value and filtering our highlights to see the underlying form.  While, blurry vision leads to less definition and amorphous structure.
  The amazing thing is to realize how dark the world is.  Even caucasian flesh, for instance, is dark. As a test, take a white napkin and hold it up against your any object and see for yourself.  You will find almost nothing comes close to the brilliant white of a napkin.
  At one point, you will have to open your eyes to see the detail, but it is always more important to get the larger planes and accurate value.  The detail is superficial and squinting allows you to see the bones and structure.  Do some sketching and see for yourself. 
Picture
"Study of Nose and Ear" 2015
0 Comments

'Wags For Wheels'-Charity MAY 31st-

4/22/2015

0 Comments

 
I'm very excited to announce that I'll have a table at this event!


MAY 31st, 9AM -12PM
11 Grotke Road, Chestnut Ridge, NY

Read more about the event and organization
https://www.facebook.com/events/419486641509824/
https://www.facebook.com/MOWofRC
Picture
0 Comments

The Importance of Sincerity

4/20/2015

0 Comments

 

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
― Oscar Wilde

  I was recently re-reading an article that I posted to the Art Renewal Center a few years ago.  The portion of the article that comes to mind right now is about sincerity in work.  I've been thinking about this for a while and finally feel able to convey my feelings about the topic.  When I'm working, I have found the best work comes from honestly trying to capture a feeling or emotion; this is all while not thinking about technique or being bogged down by analysis paralysis.  I've read a lot and written about technique and its importance, but it is far more important to have an individual message in the work.  
  It's not about intentionally blocking technique from your mind, but instead not being crippled by unecessary knowledge.  Don't tell yourself that you need a specific pencil or brush to work.  When you're working sincerely, then the pencil becomes a tool like every other tool and ceases to be some kind of magical object.  This all applies very well to original work; that is, work created to translate a personal emotion. 
   I am not considering sincerity any aspect of master-copies of any kind because the importance of that work is purely technical.  Knowledge is power in any case and learning is very often facilitated through emulation.  Think of schooling of any kind and how children learn my mimicking the teacher.
     A wise friend of mine once explained, "I'm just trying to find out who I am."  The balance comes down to learning about yourself and what you want out of your art.  The problem is often looking for answers outside of yourself. 
Picture
0 Comments

C.A.T.S Charity + Auction--SUNDAY 19th  

4/15/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
    This Sunday, Care About The Strays (C.A.T.S)  will be auctioning off an opportunity to have me paint your pet.  They're a great organization and I'm glad to be able to help them out by donating an opportunity to make a primo painting.
    
    My patrons are kind enough to bring two examples of portraits that I've painted--  So you'll be able to see my actual paintings, not a photograph or anything.


They have a FB group if you want to get involved also:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/careaboutthestrays/


See you guys Sunday!
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Categories

    All
    Academic
    Canvas
    Color
    Colorblindness
    Drawing
    En Plein Air
    Frames
    Motorcycles
    Music
    Oil Painting
    Pet Portraits
    Philosophy
    Portraiture
    Progress
    Reading
    Reviews
    Skateboarding
    Teaching
    Technique
    Varnishing
    Watercolor
    Writing

    RSS Feed

​​© ERIC ALEXANDER SANTOLI 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  • HOME
  • BIO
  • PORTFOLIO
    • DRAWINGS
    • WATERCOLORS
    • OIL PAINTINGS
  • COMMISSIONS
  • TEACHING
  • LINKS
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG