Painting vs Photos

In this post, I’d like to share the difference between photographic resources and painting from such. As an artist the photo can be an invaluable resource in recording information. However, it never sees what your own eye sees and to paint exactly what is seen in a photo can diminish the impact of what could otherwise be a wonderful painting. The light and dark values and colors in a photo are not true. The following will illustrate.

Autumn is a wonderful time for gathering photo material. I just wished it lasted longer. However, in the photos below you will see my own photos of 3 scenes that became paintings.

Photos provide the necessary information, but you have to learn to use your artistic eyes to make it into a painting.

This scene had potential. The country road and the trees were pleasing, but it lacked enough color.

Here’s the painting based on the photo above. It’s called Return of Autumn, an 18×24 $3500.00 under by William Hagerman Signature work. (it’s for sale via eBay.)

Return of Autumn 18×24 oil by William Hagerman $3500 copyright 2020

So what do you think in this Painting vs Photo?  A painting allows for artistic expression and provide more color than any photo.

In this example I was drawn to the color of the tree and the effect of light and shadow.

However, the scene needed to be tweaked. Just because something is in a photo, doesn’t mean you have to include it. Think about your composition. So what do you think in the painting vs photo?

Autumn Light and Shadow 8×10 Byron Signature oil painting copyright 2020

And finally another recent photograph. I liked the cluster of trees and the slight slope of the land on the right. Again, there’s potential, but it needed more.

In the painting below the coloration in the trees were enhanced and more vegetation in the grasses were added for interest.

So, what do you like best; photo or painting? Hopefully this comparison will help you realize that photos are only good for reference, not to copy verbatim. Choose the best parts of your photos and make it your own. Hope you liked this little Painting vs Photos usage tip.

By the way these paintings are currently on eBay as either an auction or fixed price. You can access all via my user profile.

Thank you and take care!

Painting Better Landscapes. Now there’s a topic I’ve always been interested in and if you’re here reading this, perhaps you are too.

Early on in my art development I was always on the search for books to help with painting better landscapes and the art of oil painting in general. However, when faced with so many choices a statement made thousands of years ago by a wise king came to mind, who said: “To the making of many books there is no end, and much devotion to them is wearisome to the flesh.”  Agreed.

As time passed, some of those collected art books ended up in garage sales. Others have survived having been deemed worthy of keeping. So I’m sharing one in particular that has survived all these years and one that I still refer to from time to time. The book can still be found on Amazon.

The title is: Painting Better Landscapes: Specific Ways to Improve Your Oils written by Margaret Kessler. You can see it on Amazon here. This is not an affiliate link. Simply sharing where you can find it.  The image shown is the back of the book and highlights some of the contents it contains. Hope you benefit from this same book as I have. There’s a few more and perhaps those will be shared in another post.

Do you have a favorite art book on landscape paintings? Please share by commenting. 🙂

Well, I’ve started running out the gate for 2020 and have 5 new eBay artwork auction pieces that need a new home!

You can access the auction pieces from my profile page or here.

Here’s a preview of theses gems! I also do commission pieces!

Dry Grasses

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One of my first paintings although not bluebonnets at sunrise was still a bluebonnet painting nonetheless and over the years I’ve never tired of painting them. If practice makes perfects, then I’ve had a lot of practice. A gallery owner who has specialized in selling theses favored blue Texas flowers told me I was one of the best bluebonnet painters living. I appreciate that.

With such a subject that has been painted frequently not only by me and other artists, it can be a challenge to represent them differently. After all they grow in a region known for oak trees and hills, so there’s going to be repetition.

So, here’s a scene with a slightly different color scheme than some I’ve painted even though the elements of oak trees, hills and bluebonnets are the same. I hope you enjoy the glowing sun casting it’s first rays as the day begins to awake from its sleep upon a field of azure notes.

“Bluebonnets at Sunrise” can be purchased through my eBay auction that will begin Sunday October 6th, 2019 6pm pacific time and ends October 13th. When live, you can access the auction by logging into your eBay account and then visiting this page to view active items. Hope you win!

So when does art become priceless? Recently a combination including one of my paintings, tropical storm Imelda and a comment from a client gave added meaning and answer to the question.

First, when you think of something as being priceless it generally means you can’t put a monetary value on the item under consideration. In art, you might call to mind something purchased for X millions of dollars by some museum or extremely wealthy individual and let’s face it, puts something like that out of reach for most of us. Thus, you might consider it a priceless work of art. On the other hand it could be something of insignificant monetary value, but priceless to you. Perhaps a masterpiece drawing done by your child given to you as a gift. You treasure it and would never think of discarding or parting with it even if it looked like a Picasso that was done while blindfolded.

A heartfelt message

A very touching scenario came about when one of my eBay clients won a recent painting. It so happened that it coincided that the painting was shipped and en route when tropical storm Imelda hit the South East Texas area inundating the region with torrential amounts of rain. Concerned for his welfare and family, I sent a message. My client’s reply was touching and gave a new perspective on the piece he purchased. The following is an excerpt.

“Thanks my friend. It has been a tough 24 hrs. I live on a hill in between the border of Labelle and Fannett TX. Fannett registered 32” of rain. All my neighbors were flooded except 2, they share the same hill that we are on. My sons friend who lives on the other side of the road, (name withheld) was killed this morning, trying to rescue some horses. A downed power line got him. It’s been a real sad time with all this. I have a neighbor that has throat cancer, we got him out, he is real fragile, it took about 7 hrs, but he is safe now in LA. (Louisiana) I did take some time, and had a reflection on that painting. I keep a screen shot of my favorite paintings. This one that I won is my all time favorite, because it’s like the area I grew up in, by Enchanted Rock, very similar to scenery on Crabapple Road in Gillespie County. I found a slice of solace looking at the photograph of the painting. Thanks, that is what your art is capable of doing.”

The Painting Arrives

Once mail delivery was able to be resumed and the painting arrived he said: ” I received your painting today. It was unbelievable as expected. Today was the first day we received mail since the storm. It was a great surprise. Thanks for everything and look forward to seeing more of your painting in the future.”

This is the painting  we are talking about called “Sky Drama.”

It would seem that in this instance my art brought something you can’t put a price tag on.  I so much appreciated his sharing his feelings. I’m honored.