This Is Why Hyperrealism Is So Hard
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2024
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James asked me a question about hyperrealism a couple days ago that sparked an idea for this video. It's been so interesting for us to dive into why we feel hyperrealism is so hard, not from a technical perspective but more from a general expectation and familiarity with the genre. In this video we unpack a bit of why we are so critical of the genre and some ways we might overcome those challenges and have a better shot at enjoying the practice.
Thumbnail Artwork:
Big Self-Portrait
Chuck Close, Acrylic on Canvas (1969)
I've been thinking about this question a lot recently: as hyperrealistic artists, the medium presents a challenge that's unique from other art forms. This means that criticism of our work from others and ourselves takes on a different tone. So, in this video, I wanted to unpack this factor and reflect on some of the ways that I've dealt with it over the years.
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Big fan. I grew up in a family of realist artists and am one myself (not close to Jonodry's level). But I think there are at least two different "arts" happening in the visual medium at once: (A) The first is the art of technique. This would be similar to the art of stitching a fine leather boot, or the art of glassblowing. It is a craft. (B) The second art that is happening is the art of communication and expression. The same art that a photographer might express with their work.
Jonodry performs both arts at the highest levels. But some realistic artists perform the art of technique, but have little to say in terms of meaning and message. If evaluated on the basis of (A), such an artist can be highly rated. But evaluated on the basis of (B), they would be like someone going around taking random pictures on their phone without any thought to it.
The reverse is also true. Some artists are not concerned with visual realism, but are concerned with communication and message - which can be helped greatly sometimes by not being bound by realism. These artists, if evaluated on (B) might be properly regarded highly. But evaluated on (A) very low.
The important point is that it is unreasonable to evaluate an artist in a field they are not intending to engage. You don't critique a photographer for not being able to hand-make the imagery, and you don't critique an abstract artist for not being able to draw a realistic shoe. But if one is intending to engage in (A) the craft of visual realism, and (B) the art of using visuals to communicate a message at the same time, as Jonodry does, then they can be reasonably assessed in each. if you personally have a preference for (A) over (B) or vice versa, that is your set of interests and fine.
That was a beautiful, inspiring and enlightening comment. Thank you for giving so much thought to it
That is exactly what I thought!
the people saying everything is ART than criticizing hyperrealism are those who are afraid of acceptance.
I think we are losing perspective of what is hyperrealism in regards to technique. Any monkey can throw paint at a canvas and make "abstract art". Hyperrealism has to do with the power of the artist to manipulate different techniques into looking like a real human/animal/plant etc. It's not easy, requires enormous discipline, self-control and imagination to make it look believable. Please all of you who haven't drawn more than a stick figure, and all of you who never think in advance and just make color messes (with your hands even) pay respect to the artistry and discipline that hyperrealism involves, even if you don't like it. Respect!
Hyperrealism is such a work in progress! I've been trying for years; sometimes it's close; others nope - yet I'll always have the eyes. It's a start.
Thank you for this.
The people saying that Jono’s hyperrealism isn’t art because it lacks creativity are extremely incorrect. Almost all of Jono’s work includes concepts that he spent time creating. Jono’s work is a perfect blend of technical skill and creativity because even if he “copies”, he copies from images he created and he put his creative spin on to tell a story.
This is why I constantly follow his work because he is not just copying. His is creating the base material before he starts draw. He creates the concept and organises the various elements before transferring to paper as opposed to making just a portrait or still life or landscape. Craft + creativity + communication = Art.
Legit get so excited when I see the notification that another video has been posted!!!!
As someone who squeals after seeing almost any good artwork (not just those by famous painters but also like comics and stuff), I can't really understand in depth what the problem is but I do know that if you keep at it consistently then you will eventually find yourself at the place where you thought you would be when you started on that path. Big fan of your videos❤
The difference between hyperealism and photorealism is that photorealism takes into account depth of field and the effects and nuances that a photo carries. Whether it be a blurry background, or a small bit of overexposure, that's what makes photorealism photorealism. As opposed to photorealism, hyperrealism prioritises every little idiosyncrasy and every little detail, regardless of its worth or relevance in the drawing. Hyperrealism also typically carries some sort of conceptuality or idea as opposed to photorealism, which main goal is to seem as though it is a photo.
I have such respect for realism and expressive work, those two elements combined are fabulous. Keep making beautiful art Jono I love the soft velvety texture you achieve - I think we all have to stay in our lane and create work that we are proud to call our own.
"If you never accept the level that you are at and celebrate the small incremental bits of progress, you are never going to get that dopamine hit of making progress. So you do, also, have to be kind to yourself, be proud of the work that you are doing..." Wise words, totally agree! Thank you for covering this topic - huge Chuck Close fan and his entire journey - he brought me to appreciate hyperrealism and finding other artist, as yourself, who create with this vision.
Thank you! I have always drawn cartoon figures up until this point in my art journey, and I am about to draw my first hyperrealistic piece because I want to challenge myself! Jono you were the inspiration for this! Maybe an idea for a video would be tips for beginner hyperrealistic artists?
Thank you so much, as this discussion was very interesting. Love your work!!! 😍
Yes, I have moments where I get so frustrated with a drawing because I just can't seem to make it look right, so I too will just set it aside for awhile. Also, after being a charcoal artist for about 20 years, most of which was just "copying" photos, commissions, etc., my mentor has helped me to learn how to make my art more original, and has helped me come up with my art style, and I am so excited to complete these original pieces!
I love how you respect and use the light properly. Your drawings remind me of my photography style. 1-Always the true black and true white tones in the B&W pictures. 2-Being aware of your background and making it NOT busy so your dance with light draws you into the subject. 3- Patience, patience, patience. ❤
As always, you make me think, and I wonder how I have never before asked myself "what is hyper realism?" And here I am again, finding the answer to my conceptual struggle about a new series of work in one of your thought provoking videos. It was there all along and you have led me to it. You are a marvel! Thank you!
Very informative. thank you Jono
You have very amazing! work I feel I can learn a lot from you been following your channel for a while.
Awesome video ❤
Hi!! Thank you so much, Jono, for sharing your inspiring works and also good tips 👍👍 I really appreciate it and enjoy your channel so much! I want to ask you how you go about drawing from a reference onto such large papers. Could you explain that in a future video? Thanks again!
All the way from kenya nice work dude
I really admire your ability to just dive into it
Artists have to look at things differently. We have to pay attention to as many details as possible. I love drawing noses and I am constantly looking at people's faces to draw their nose
Hey Jono-as always love your work but I really related to this video. I would find it appealing if you did a deeper dive on the part of drawing psychology that involves bravery. I think fear of “messing up” an artwork is likely a high barrier for most, if not all. And, this feeling probably prevents a lot of good work from flowing into the world. Using myself as an example, it’s interesting but frustrating to have so many ideas that I can see, but only slowly come into the world, or not at all, because of this resistance. The ideas are such a dopamine hit. The planning and execution are the hard parts.
6:53 yes! I often put my reference away and “fix the art” to make it look better as art
That is all so so true, I myself strive in the hopes of becoming good in the hyperrealism genre, but I still have a way to go. It is true that trying to fix something you draw that at first looks like the picture but feels weird, and changing it with instincts is the most terrifying thing ever. Because if you mess it up, you may not be able to fix it. It is terrifying but it is also where we grow in a rush in an art work. Without such trials, we become stale. but with such trials, we grow as artists.
Jono and his art are increíble...
You're so underrated!!!
Your still the best Jono ❤️
What I like about Jono
it’s Realistic but it’s not copying a photograph as it is
his works are Still Compositions
A big fan of your work and your contents, we would really love to see you do a collaboration with other hyperrealism artist as well like @FabriceTheArtist , I imagine you guys could do a video together and share more knowledge of hyperrealism pencil drawing which would be very useful and educational for all the beginner realism artist out here. Looking forward to see that happen. Thankyou again.
I've only recently come across your channel but absolutely love your work. I do have one question; with so much of your final piece (usually) being very dark / black, what are the advantages of using graphite on white paper compared to starting with black paper and using white pencils?
so nice 😍✨❤❤❤❤❤
The power of stepping away!
Happens to me most time
Hi Jono, you are an inspiration to so many including myself.
Have you ever experimented with drafting film?
I have an idea for a piece that I would love to see you adopt, it needs more resources than I have to do it justice although I intend to try.
I would really like to offer the inspiration to you to consider and admire your work later.
"Have no fear of perfection, you'll never reach it."
Salvador Dali
I’ll soon fly to Cape Town on my art tour study, I don’t know if it’s possible to meet ya my mentor 🤭
hyperrealism is hard but it's not really art, it's a non-artistic skill that many confuse with artistic ability because it involves drawing. artistic ability on the other hand isn't a skill since it's completely subjective. that subjective nature is what makes art art. i don't think there is much artistic expression in drawing something that is so objectively judged.
so basically if you are going to do hyperrealism, draw something that you can't just take a picture of, that way you actually contribute artistically to the piece rather than simply being a human copy machine. the naked ladies with animal heads that Jono was working on in this video are a good example.
I try to bring realism shading to comic book art.
I couldn’t imagine trying to do “Hyperrealism” it would take me FOREVER. So I’ll stick to me #2 mech. Pencil and it’s eraser!
I love you arts ❤️❤️❤️
Wow
I wonder: those who criticize hyperrealistic drawings/paintings state that there is no soul in the creations. Do they feel the same way about sculpture? Do they hate Michelangelo?
Супер! 👌👌👌 Справжній талант! ❤
❤❤❤
👍
HyperRealism can be so lame and so awesome. Your work is unique, creative, i really despite seeing the same old dwayne johnson or will smith 4k photo beeing printed by anyone, the woman with honey on face enters this same box. To take a internet 4k picture and "print" it with pencils is really boring and artless
Hello Jono .
I want to do a collaboration with you about a manga .
Can we work together .......😊
at least this guy could draw hands.
personally i have never found conceptual/fine art amazing.. It's always random and up to the intperretor. The skill required is set very low. And its inconsistent in whatever it tries to deliver. Hyper/photo realism requires emense skills, time, practice etc, and shows EXACTLY what it's meant to be. ANY lay person can say if it looks good or bad, and a pro would appreciate it even more because of the skill level required.
I stick with a simple minimal style of charcoal drawing because I'm too lazy for hyperrealism.
Our creator isn't perfect. Nothing is perfect.
All these conceptual artists try the different disciplines, realise they're not very good, and by complete accident gravitate towards conceptual art... Just a coincidence
I have always loved art but i eill never be able to do hyper realistsm
No. Hyperrealism isn't hard. Actually drawing exceptionally well, composing well, and imbuing art with meaningful levels of original content while inventing something new and important --- THAT's what's hard.
Ok bro, Hyperrealism is super easy. Thanks for stoping by and giving this top notch comment…
Even though I respect the vast amount of dexterity an hypereaslist have, I don't think highly of the hypereaslist art style. When I was in school, my goal was to do hyper-realist artworks, untill a great master asked me why I don't just keep the photo. It opened my eyes completely. I didn't want to be a human printer who converts only the medium from ink to charcoal or oils. Some hypereaslist would sell prints of their work. Basically converting it back to ink on paper. So there is actually no substantial difference between selling the original photoshoped photo or the hyper realistic artwork. Give 10 hypereaslist the same photo and it will all be exactly the same end result. I don't find much originality in that though. But ofcource this is just my opinion. I in the other hand enjoy working from both life an photos. I enjoy having my sketchbook at hand 24/7, with the ability to accurately sketch my experience. But the dexterity of an hypereaslist artist is insane. Its like focusing on a dot for many hours. That is hard though.
I find realistic art far more pleasing, and I think the artists that do it are more talented. Abstract art does nothing for me.
@sgt_salty_cracka1541 there is quite a large difference between realism and Hypereaslism. I myself am a proponent of realism (Academic or classical art) . I can take pencil, charcoal or oil paint and do a realistic artwork in 3 hours without tracing outlines. Hypereaslist can not do that. I have more respect for a draftman who can capture reality accurately in one sitting than a hyper realist who takes days, weeks or even months to do it. And yes realism is more talented. Compare Jeff Watts, Erik Koeppel or Cezor Santos realistic drafmanship to Hypereaslist and you will see what I mean.
While I see what your saying I do think there is something to be said in defense of hyperealisim..it's really just a term for art that is super detailed and can replicate real life however its not the same as realism as for example jono dry work often has elements that border on surrealism and fantasy. Something that cannot be replicated from a pictures. Sure you can edit the picture afterwards but if that is the case we can do that for any form of art, editing an image until it is what we desire. Hyperealisim gets a bad rep for just copying what we see however every form of art is created from referencing something we have seen before besides art that has no control I.e pour art or maybe cubism.
Art has different meanings for everyone and if hyper realism invokes a feeling from someone it shouldn't be treated any differently from other forms of art because though the wise man said what's the point of realism if we have photos now one must ask whats the point of art when there is now a.i
Photos don't invalidate hyper realism it enables it
I much rather have an original drawing than a 1 in 100 copy
@jenex7623 I surely agree with you. The reason for my dislike in the movement is that I believe drawing and painting from life or capturing subject matter accurately in a few minutes takes much more draftmanship than tracing a photo and filling in the lines. Take the drawing scene from Titanic as an example. Hypereaslist artists can't do that. But a realist artist can do Hypereaslist work if they work on their dexterity. I have mentioned before that I respect the dexterity but not the art movement itself. Jacob Collins debated about this exact topic. He mentioned ( as I understood it) that when academic art vanished in the 19th century and photographs became the tool for realism, the layman used to judge an artwork against photographs and not nature itself. That's why you will constantly hear Layman say,' Gosh, it looks like a photograph '. Because the layman does not know any better. That's why this Hypereaslism in general apeals to the majority layman. This is evident on social media platforms.
I do believe that he could sell his photoshopped photos as prints. It will appear exactly the same, and it will invoke the exact same feeling as his drawings
Yes, it shouldn't be treated differently from any other style. I just said I don't prefer it for myself. I have some sort of pride in having the ability to draw or paint realisticly from life in a train if I want to. I believe that is true draftmanship.
This is my opinion, and I am well aware that opinions are the lowest form of knowledge. 🤣But it is a great discussion or debate to have on a live platform.
@@sebastiaantheartartist i get what you mean and what I said was just on defens of it however that doesn't mean I hold it in high regard myself
I do realistic bordering hyper realistic art but I find it boring to do now as like you said a photo can do it and even better depending on your skill level. I much ather right now draw semi realistic/anime style stuff on my digital tablet it's just more enjoyable for me . Realistic still has a place in my heart since it's from this art form I have developed a style in other areas and it helped me learn the fundamentals of art