Rhythm and Control

Deliberate brushwork, accurate proportions and a strong sense of volume breathe life into the portraiture of Jie Gao

- Jie Gao

Oil Portrait 20, oil on canvas, 19½ x 15" (50 x 40 cm)

Most people are familiar with the process and techniques of an artist working on a canvas since it can be observed firsthand. However, the real secret is how the artist observes and perceives the subject before starting to paint. This is something outsiders cannot know. The way an artist observes the subject, their sensitivity to it and their creativity are the keys to a successful work of art. What do you feel about the subject? What moves you? Focus on that point to determine the emphasis in your depiction. For this particular demonstration (shown in the following pages), the light coming from both sides of the subject creates a rich and subtle line of light and shadow along the contours of the face, capturing its volume changes. Therefore, I decided to center my painting around this line of the core shadow, which is the focal point of this painting.

Mastering the characteristics of oil paint is crucial. Different brands can have completely different properties, including transparency, drying time and whether the pigment is plant-based or mineral-based. Additionally, understanding and mastering which colors are suitable for depicting specific areas or details requires extensive practice to accumulate experience. Generally, light areas are painted more thickly, while dark areas are better treated more thinly, using different techniques for different parts.

Oil Portrait 17, oil on canvas, 19½ x 19" (50 x 50 cm)

Since the characteristics of different art materials and the styles they are best suited for can vary greatly, it is very important to find brushes, canvases and other tools that suit you. Even today, I spend a significant amount of time searching for and trying out different art materials.