When we are creating visual art, we are either translating, transposing or inventing. Have you ever thought about that? It's a fun idea to play with.
WHAT THE HECK DOES IS THIS ALL ABOUT?
Translating is what we all do when we're painting realistically. We're looking at our reference and by making our images as representative as we
can of what we see, we are translating what we see onto our substrate with whatever materials we are using. The painting on the right (below) is a pretty close translation of the reference.
When we change elements of the reference or re-interpret it while retaining its basic essence, we transpose
it. If I change the color scheme of that reference, I will have transposed it. Here I have changed the color key from green/blue to variations of violets.
I can also transpose the textures, like Van Gogh did.
Or take another approach and transpose by just flattening the shapes like Matisse did (well, somewhat in the ballpark of Matisse).
We can transpose our reference in whatever way we chose, from subtle to extreme. But when we get really extreme, we begin to
invent. That means that either we create our work out of our imaginations or we base it somewhat on a reference, or a combination of several references.
Here are a couple of inventions roughly based on the reference we are playing with here:
- Find any reference and do a translation of it.
- Then do another study transposing its color.
- Follow this study with one that transposes its textures.
- Then one more transposing by flattening the shapes.
- Wrap up your play time by doing an invention roughly based on your reference.
Now, isn't that more fun than worrying and fretting?
KEEP YOURSELF SAFE AND ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!
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