Old Car New Challenge

**parahandy** · 13 November 2007, 10:29 PM

Valid points there Paul, I now see Patman's cars in a new light.
Egg, I would like to see some more of your ships, am I wrong, were you a merchant seaman or is it because you live in Harwich?
Ron I don't need to say anything about your cars, you know my feelings and delight at your work.

**Purrfeck** · 14 November 2007, 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by RonDuke

Thanks, Paul.
Yeah, I've learned in this forum that my approach to drawing is not the "artists'". I just can't let go of the desire to make my cars look as realistic as possible. It's just a flaw I have.

ron

Ron I would like to say to you, "I wouldn't take it to heart" what Paul has said. To get as far as you have, it takes a great deal of dedication, time, skill and patience to produce every line, blend, stroke that you labour over etc., and you do it because it gives you pleasure and others too - me included.
Keep doing what you love to do, and do it because you can!

Some of us are driven to perfect this type of 'photorealistic' work , and the people who don't understand are often those with lesser skills in this area and may pick at and knock it, but every artists has a passion to create things their way even if you dislike it. Personally if I did not like someone's work I would just keep it to myself. Art is very subjective, you either like someones work or not - that's ok too. There are plenty around that love this type of work.

I think 'photorealistic' can be impressive and their are some that cannot do this at all. Some people have a need to express themselves this way, perhaps for some its a type of perfection or control if you like - especially if things aren't going right in other parts of their lives.

Lastly I'd like to say these type of pictures can be a thing of beauty just like a piece of jewellery or a shiny new toy.

I hope some people see things in a new light!

Paul, whatever floats your boat!

Toodles

Michele

**pauland** · 14 November 2007, 09:02 AM

I think you've got me wrong Michele.

I think Ron and other peoples illustrations that are heading for the phototrealistic are fantastic. Recently the forums seem to be dominated by this photorealistic trend and I found it refreshing to have an illustration that clearly was not photorealistic but had (in my opinion) merit. I was slightly alarmed that the illustrator seemed to think it wasn't of merit. I just hope that some Xara users won't base the quality of their work on a single benchmark of how photorealistic it is. Sometimes work that is clearly highly skilled in it's production can look clinical.

There are many, many cases of stunning work on these forums produced by very talented people, Ron included.

If we look at recent threads like the yak15 and yellow trainer (http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthread.php?t=29985, http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthread.php?t=30012 ) they show superb skill (I love the yellow trainer, in particular).

My point was that in recent times many people seem to be judging themselves on the basis of the photorealistic qualities of their work alone and it was pleasing to me to see a fairly simple illustration that depicted the subject well yet was in no way photorealistic.

I wasn't knocking photorealism and I agree to having lesser skills. Fortunately, there are plenty of people with superb skills who can express themselves without chasing photorealism.

My simple message is this: express yourself as you wish, but don't feel that if you use Xara that photorealism (or indeed technically correct illustration) is the only benchmark of quality and talent.

Paul

**RonDuke** · 14 November 2007, 04:48 PM

Paul,
I understand what you're saying exactly. And it is my view also.

Regards,
ron

**ss-kalm** · 14 November 2007, 04:54 PM

Very well said, Paul. I agree entirely

**gray** · 14 November 2007, 05:49 PM

Ron, I have to say that I like all forms of art. I strive for photorealism at the moment in the topics I do myself. It depends on what you like yourself and what you're trying to portray. Art is in the eyes of the beholder. Everyone has their likes and dislikes. The main thing is to do what you personally enjoy, the rest doesn't count.

**Purrfeck** · 14 November 2007, 11:22 PM

Sorry Paul I may have got things wrong, it was not my intention to cause any problem and I have given much thought on how I will answer. I hope that it does not cause more problems.

While I totally agree that there are many fine examples of illustrations and paintings around the world that are by no means photorealistic, it was not my intention to hold photorealistic work up as a benchmark of quality and talent either. I guess people see things very differently. I saw one new Xara user asking for helpful insight to improving his own illustration by someone more experienced than himself. When I read your response I was under the impression that you where dismissive of Ron's skills in favour of your own taste on this post. Then when Ron answered I got the impression that he may have felt that his skill was in question, so I jumped to his defence with my post. When you responded to my post, I realised that we may not be on the same page in regard to what was said, leading to a misunderstanding.

Michele