I love Edward Hopper's style. I am a self-taught art student and I am trying to learn to paint like him because I like the clean lines and his subject matter is simple.
Great Teacher! how masterfully he motivates his students, guides them and reveals the meaning of the little things that are really important! I would like to watch these lessons again and again. Such videos make you want to take up a brush and draw something unusual for yourself
Hopper lived and painted, for a period, near where I live. His realism catches the eye. I have seen some of his works. The simplicity leaves room for one's imagination to " finish" the painting.
+James Bond when ppl say Hopper s realism...isnt that a bit wrong? i mean caraviaggio was a realsit (never mind the subject matter here) I love Hopper s non realism a bit like de Chirico Mysterious and all so beautiful Both of them And ............... caravaggio, of course
+Harri Lee - Well, others would say Caraviaggio was a bit... overdone. Hopper's work was also a bit theatrical, but not operatic, if you know what I mean. Viewing works by different artists from different areas and eras, comparibng and contrasting and finding which 'speak' to us - surely this adds much to the enjoyment of art.
I love to hear John speak. The girls were nice but the guy was the best artist even though I agree with John's choice of which was the most Hopper-ish. What a memorable day for all of these young artists.
As painters in their own right, they are very good, it is their interpretation of what they see as it was Hoppers interpretation of what he saw, scenes do not have a black line around in real life but what we see here is really good ideas of what they see. Well done, enjoyed this.
Really impressed with what these artists can accomplish in one day. It takes a lot of courage to step outside the box and attempt the style of a master--master of his/her own technique and materials. How would Hopper have done if presented with a Chagall for example and asked to do the same? Wonderful job by all three. Great program.
Yeah people forget that painters who develop a style that becomes successful are a tiny minority. And it's hard to copy. Might as well be asked to copy handwriting... they did well
I actually like that guy's painting very much. It doesn't look anywhere near a Hopper painting but more like an impressionist painting. By the way, I also liked that scene of the sky with the hazy sun, the purplish greenish sky, and the feathery clouds, because it looks like an impressionist painting!
John Myatt is great! I’ve learnt how composition is important. Staging a character or a house in a frame is already telling us a story and emotions. ... Really impressed with the cameraman’s work, here. All his frames are great compositions, even with the group of artists, we really have the feeling of loneliness, wideness and beauty of the place. Such a great episode and beautiful art serie! Thank you so much!
lol, you must like going to little kids finger painting displays as well, right? because thats at the same level as ed hoppers work.... total trash that looks like it came directly from a high school art class.
I saw a documentary on you, and how you went to prison many years ago, in fact I remember seeing it in the news. Ironically, it was Edward Hopper that created the argument that resulted in me leaving art school in a series of door slamming rejections. I am a Vettrianno fan. One of the things that frustrated me was the focus on someone like Hopper to the exclusion of Vettrianno, who will be recognized at some stage in the future. I was asked to write an academic piece on a comparison of two artists. I chose Hopper and Vettrianno. I decided to focus on the unjust exclusion of Vettrianno in academic circles, who, in my opinion was a much better painter than Hopper. My lecturers were so inadequate, that instead of defending Hopper with logic and explanation, they demanded I stopped the writing and chose other painters. Had I been 18, like my peers, I would have complied, but I was in my 50's. So, you see. Hopper and me, we haven't been friends for many years. Then there was your video, which explained what it is that sets the two painters apart. Finaly, I get it. Thanks for that.
I find it interesting that Vettrianno is so reviled, we went to a show of his work in Bristol some years ago, I can agree with you on the narrow minded nature of many art teachers!
I identify with the artist from Chicago. I happen to be from Chicago myself. I really don't like painting plein air. I am a little bit OCD when I paint. My things have to be in order and my paint brushes have to be constantly cleaned, I move about a lot, I don't know, I'm just like that. But I always like the end result of my painting.
Every artist must learn the rules of painting and then break those rules to create something unique. Edward Hopper is one of my favourite artists, and so relevant in our age of economic decline. Hopper would have identified with our 'machines' of "progress" and sense of 'alienation'.
I think there's something behind the Hopper house. That's why the detail in the middle ground. It draws the attention to the back of the house, the part we cant see.
Artists are welcome to reproduce paintings, and in fact it's often an exercise used in art schools. Some museums allow painters to bring supplies inside so they can try and copy them by studying the original in person. As long as an artist is honest about the work being a copy and titles it accordingly (i.e. making sure to note the artist of the original), rather than trying to pass it off as the original, it's perfectly legal.
Myatt still makes paintings for a certain gallery regularly featuring him but having watched this series at least 20 times, I think he didn't take to being a teacher even though he's great.
I wasn't aware about the composition or scale, so thanks so much for pointing that out! I didn't even think about it, but yeah, usually when I've seen people working on paintings, they're using much smaller canvases and studying larger pieces.
i can feel the frustration of the artists, its very hard to work while somebody's ordering you around. but there's an objective, so they have to be patient.
wow, a great picture done by all, and an example even of the issues us photographers have, ruminating over perspective, bokeh, and light vs. shadows, and getting all right.
The perspective error was shocking for some who graduated from RCA. He is right, focusing on detail that early unless you are a savant is a bad idea. Even if you are L S Lowery and you you not following strict figurative style and you bend the rule of perspective for a more illustrative style, you have to figure out your composition.
I was taught to look at the piece as a whole. Sometimes standing up and looking at it from a distance. It’s always shocking for me, when I see people starting for example a portrait with just an eye 😳 But it’s also cool to be able to do that
Good job, everyone! How scary would that be? Trying to create something worthwhile while being filmed. Talk about stress. Art is not for sissies. And Wyatt is a really great teacher-he criticizes and encourages in a direct, kind way. I love all of his shows.
What is really sad it that the recently graduated art student had apparantly not been taught even the basics of painting - such as the importance of composition, and perspective in a realistic rendering (whether in paint or drawing). The lack of training in how to handle different mediums has long been the fashion in art schools, but it seems like turning out carpenters who don't know how to use a hammer. Artists who know how to use their chosen medium are then more free to use it how they choose, 'breaking the rules' even, if they first master that medium.
+Minuscolo Chao - The intent seems to have been to not interfere with the artist's ability to innovate, or the individuality of their personal expression through their art. While these seem to be valid concerns, not teaching the basics of how to work with the students' chosen medium does not seem like it would help the developing artist to express himself, does it?
Criticize Jefferdaughter all you like, but someone who graduated from art school should really know what perspective is. One look at Hopper and you can tell that her painting's all off (though she did get the desolate atmosphere). It really is a basic thing.
It's been established that art forgeries used to be more prevalent and they caused a lot of problems. But if I'm being honest, I can't help but say they make the art world itself more exciting. It will be people's first instincts to argue that point and I know people have strong opinions on the subject but I'm not an expert, nor an authority, I'm just saying an honest point of view. It's similar to how people are fascinated by movies that involve professional art heists, as portrayed in Oceans 12 or Entrapment. I know real life heists are not as romantic as portrayed in the movies, but the idea is what captures the imagination. The art forger himself has to be extremely cunning to pull off his deception and the idea that there is some person with this kind of skill working in some hidden location is an image that is intriguing. Another reason it catches the imagination is that many forgeries are sold for hundreds of thousands. It's the cunning of the mastermind that attracts people. The man always at risk. If people are honest they would be excited to hear a story about how some master forger tricked all the experts and made millions of dollars.
I'm fascinated by art forgers, their works, and sheepishly admit I kind of find them admirable. After all, the people they fool are generally very rich folks who have money to burn on fake Van Goghs, Picassos, Vemeers, etc. I realize that it confuses people and I guess interferes with the legacy of the real artists, but you have to tip your hat to someone who can fool the world's art 'experts' who often are snobby and so sure of themselves. And the great time and effort to copy with such preciseness is a tribute to the original art works also. One of my favorite films is F for Fake by Welles. Elmer de Hory is a character out of a crazy novel. Such charm, devilish wit, panache, and skill rolled up in one guy!!! You can't help but love the guy for fooling the pants off of the 'Aht World". I am a painter and I regularly do copies of Picasso, Goya, Kahlo, Van Gogh along with my original pieces. I'm pretty good at getting close to the originals but I have no interest(yet😜) in trying to pass anything off as someone else. You have to find old canvases, materials, learn tricks to age paper, make sure you don't have materials that can tested for substances that didn't exist 100 years ago. That's how one guy got caught, he used a white paint that contained a more recent ingredient that didn't exist when the original was painted. I guess I just gave some tips inadvertently to would be forgers. Oops!!
It's interesting how the English woman said she likes to paint flat, but then said she likes shadows and perspective. Finally, missed the perspective geometry. Her stubbornness got in the way. We all need to listen to those who are more accomplished than we.
The third girl nailed it. First, she chose the most artistically interesting house.. It reminded me of the wizard of OZ. A house gets picked up in a tornado and gets set down in the wrong place miles away cattywampus to the perspective.. Abandoned... Very disturbing... Hopper to the Nth. She nailed it.
Paid the price? He served 4 months, was a hero in jail, the copper who arrested him commissioned a family portrait, a member of the prosecution commissioned a Giacometti, the Bar Council commissioned a Dufy, he has had sellout exhibitions, and his genuine fakes sell for sizable sums. That's one hell of a price.
Mmm - yes. Whether any of it compensated for the humiliation of prison, the sentencing, the loss of liberty - only he can know. Anyway - he has an exceptionally good eye, and I wish he'd been my tutor. Even though this video and this comment are years past now - they're still interesting, which is the mark of a good programme. And also, the great strength of RU-vid.
I think he should have been right in the middle of the students and creating a work of art too and use it as his example as how he does it. Nice to see how an art teacher teaches and he has a lot to say, to profess, which is interesting. I'm not a painter at all, but I liked watching this. A lot of talent in those students! If that example painting was the teacher's creation, wow, he's very talented, and his drawings of the prison he was in were masterpieces. Prisons, and what good have they really done for a better world? Thanks for going to all the work to present this!
I’m not 100% sure but remember reading that the example pieces he uses are actually his own recreations of the artist’s work. Maybe he goes into more technical detail with them off camera? I have no idea though
They're all such wonderful paintings. I'm astonished they did it all in a day. I do find it funny, though, that Scott's so internalised all of the rules of good composition that they worked against him in this exercise xD Mel was far too hard on herself. I hope she's been happy as an artist these last 11 (16?) years.
You overlook that the prisons are full of stupid people and bottom-feeders of whom we never hear because no one cares. That is why we need for justice to be blind.
Love this series. Like a Chopped for the artist's among us. (Though, personally, I think he was off in his criticism of that last painting. Hopper's gas station is rather famous for perspective lines that don't quite make sense. It's in large part why that particular piece is so unsettling. So while she may have been technically wrong, the spirit of it was quite right.)
Mel's painting has an odd perspective, like I'm on a hill looking down. But the colours are lovely the wires coming out of the painting on both sides makes me imagine the continuance of space and vastness. The boat I think in the far background, is it at sea, is it on the ground. The painting does ask a lot of questions which is a good thing, a mystery of sorts. More texture and dark/light would be nice, but I'm not Mel. I like it, it's lonely. It's scared. It's careful. Don't correct the perspective, it's the twist of the eye/mind and it works. Don't feel stupid famous artists did it all the time.
I agree, perspective is not the be all and end all. Just look at some of Van Gogh's paintings. The perspective is all over the place. I actually think this young lady produced the best painting, and most like Hopper.
I think these shows are very interesting. The only jarring thing for me in this episode is the image of a person with a cigarette in their hand particularly because it was the talented artist Edward Hopper. Impressionable young people will think, oh a talented person smokes, then that is something I should do. They will probably absorb this information subconsciously without even realising it.
They usually must also make it obviously different, such as changing scale or composition in some way. Usually scale is what's changed. I've seen this in places like the Louvre and other European museums - painters get special permission to "study" great artists' work.
25:22 .. perspective error... yes, but Hopper had perspective errors in many many of his paintings. The difference here is her errors come from a mistake in seeing the correct perspective and manipulating it in a conscious, deliberate way that Hopper did.
