soic

Study after Aime Morot's 'Good Samaritan'

Added 2025-07-29 20:24:28 +0000 UTC

An anatomical study from Aime Morot's 'Good Samaritan', painted with oil on an 8x10" canvas.

Despite how often I paint, rarely do any of my efforts feel like a sudden, developmental breakthrough; if I correctly recall, it's only occurred three, perhaps four times since my artistic pursuits earnestly began...that is, until my most recent study. Naturally, none of the academic concepts have changed, yet a few adjustments in my approach, and a new sense of validation allowed me to produce, what I believe, is my closest impression of realism thus far!

Thanks in no small part to Solomon J. Solomon's insightful writings, I was granted permission to focus almost entirely on edges and value, while color was subordinated until the final steps. Though their initial rendering appeared relatively monochromatic, many of the greatest 18th-19th-century representational paintings began with a limited palette before the introduction of complex, chromatic shifts; I mean not to suggest I didn't consider hues or temperature while I worked (they remain integral in the early local color and shadow indication phases), but they were no longer my highest priority. Instead, I first focused on the concentration of tonal gradation in the raking light, the firmness/ softness of a given edge, and value contrast to produce a strong, three-dimensional effect. That seemingly slight cognitive adjustment resulted in a substantial difference; now, I need only experiment, then try to apply it to my fantasy works. If I'm successful...it'll mark an immense leap towards my ultimate aspirations!

Your patience and support are deeply appreciated,

Soic