1. Outline the intentions of each artist.
The intentions of both of the artists were to take a normal subject matter, as they have shown, such as people or flowers, are represented that common subject matter in an entirely different way. Designed to question the viewer and make the viewer think, quite clearly, out of the box, and to extend the viewers mind outside of a normal comfort zone in order to express themselves as artists better and also more creatively.
2. Describe the techniques of each artist
Chuck Close uses a straight line of a brush stroke and then used these to create many box-like shapes that close in on themselves. He has used these in various colours and shades to then create the final picture. The materials in which he used to do these paintings include; a razor blade, an airbrush, rags and an eraser in which was attached to a power drill. He became well known before this as he decided to throw away all his regular tools such as paintbrushes and started to only use tools of a bizarre nature when it came to creating paint art works.
Claude Monet has an similar idea of creating his work, but at the same time is also entirely different to what Close has done. Monet has painted the as he probably sees the subject matter as an artist. The flowers have been painted with a slight blur to them, which again, challenges the viewer to think outside the square. Another reason for why Monet may have painted these works with a slight blur is because whilst he was doing this work he suffered from eye cataracts. Monet did 20 paintings in this series of the water lillies, so then became one of his most famous pieces.
3. Find 2 quotes about each artists work, and reference them correctly.
"the illusion of an endless whole, of water without horizon or bank....."the refuge of a peaceful meditation in the center of a flowering aquarium." Claude Monet, The Museum of Modern Art, (1926) http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=5100003&CID=5447010003801a
"en plein air" (outdoor) techniques for painting" Eugène Boudin (1857) http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/monet/
"Chuck Close is an American artist noted for his highly inventive techniques used to paint the human face. He is best known for his large-scale, Photo-Realist portraits." Anon (unknown) http://bigthink.com/chuckclose
"I threw away my tools,I chose to do things I had no facility with. The choice not to do something is in a funny way more positive than the choice to do something. If you impose a limit to not do something you've done before, it will push you to where you've never gone before." Chuck Close (2009) http://www.chuckclose.coe.uh.edu/
4. Note 3 similarities of the work of both artists.
- Both use a different kind of brush stroke
- Both approach the work with photo-realism and hyper realism
- Both are trying to push the boundaries of art for their time
5. What are some differences between the artist's work. (at least 3)
- The subject matter each artist uses is entirely different
- The inspirations that each of the artists paint from are obvious, and because of the time are in ways trying to achieve something different
- To the viewer, the works are completely different.
6. Describe your response to the work of both artists.
As an individual, I think that I respond better to the works of Monet out of the two artists mentioned in this blog. Because I personally just prefer the more classical type of art work from this era. I like both the subject matter and the way Monet has painted.
Also, I personally am not a fan of Close's works. Though I fully can appreciate the work that he has done and I do like how he has not used a conventional way of painting, this makes him different and more talented then most artists of his time for pushing the boundaries as he has done.
Claude Monet, Biography, (2003) http://www.chuckclose.coe.uh.edu/
Tucker, P.H, (1998) Claude Monet: Life and Art. Yale University Press.
Finch, C., (2010) Chuck Close: Work Prestel, USA.
Finch, C., (2010 Chuck Close: Life Prestek, USA.
When I was reading your blog, I liked how you talked about the type of brush strokes and the techniques that the artists used. I also like how you have gathered quotes from the artists and used them in your work because it backs up everything you say.
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