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How Important is it to really Know your subject?

Hodges Soileau · Apr 15, 2013 · 13 Comments

SoileauOPA-Hodges-Old Port Gulls-24x18 oil on linen
“Old Port Gulls” by Hodges Soileau OPA
I am often asked the question, “Is it important to really know the subject you are painting inside and out.” First let me say that it certainly does not hurt to know the subject, but artists can paint subjects that interest them without knowing very much about them, if anything at all….except for the fact that they are interesting visually. One could know everything about a subject, or even be an expert on the subject, and not be able to depict it as well as one seeing it for the first time.
In my opinion, observation skills and a visual interest in how something looks with light on it is what is most important. A personal example might be that I love to paint boats and water, but I know very little about boats except which end is the bow and which is the stern. From observing, I am aware that the shape of a lobster boat is different that that of Shrimp boat, or an Oyster boat, etc. I have a passion for painting boats because I like the shapes and the way they look in water. That is only one example of many subjects that artist choose to paint that do not require expert knowledge to do reasonable representations of them.
SoileauOPA-Hodges-Working Lady 16x20 oil on linen-copy copy
“Working Lady” by Hodges Soileau OPA
Another example might be Equine paintings. I’m sure many who paint horses are in fact experts, and some even specialize in that genre of painting. Being an artist that paints eclectic subject matter, it is one of my favorite subjects… but again I do not believe it is a prerequisite to know horse anatomy by name, if one has observation and drawing skills. My passion, or interest for horses started as a young boy. I always had horses growing up, and loved them then and carried the interest in that subject with me until now. I know a little about them, but I am by no means an expert… and for me, it never was about being an expert on this subject! It is about the way they look… the strength, and beauty of their movement… a noble beast.
By the same token, one can do a very reasonable rendition of the human form without ever taking an anatomy class…..of course anatomy study does not hurt, and I certainly would never discourage any one from studying the human anatomy. Any knowledge gained can be helpful…..particularly in checking one’s self if there is an issue, but it is not an absolute requirement. Artists have done a very good job over the years without studying anatomy, if their observation skills are strong. I believe the artist should be interpreting their observations and not simply copying them. Copying is for cameras. Another problem with relying on knowledge instead of observation is, if one is observing the subject, and something looks vague, fuzzy or not clear as in a shadow area….one should paint that image as they see it, and not use their intellectual knowledge of the subject and make it a clear statement. It will not look appropriate to that particular situation. Example….something dark in shadow value, if made to light and sharp will jump out of the shadow. Another foreseeable problem with using knowledge of subject rather than observation is that one could fall into a formula, and everything starts looking the same. If one is using anatomy knowledge for example. All figures should not be exactly alike.
SoileauOPA-Hodges-Lula-Belle and the Preacher Fisherman-24x18 oil on linen
“Lula Belle and the Preacher Fisherman” by Hodges Soileau OPA
I have even heard this in reference to portrait painting. One artist (A) who meets his subject for the first time can do an excellent portrait, and even possibly stronger interpretation than one artist ( B) who has spent time with and painted that same subject again and again….if artist (A) has stronger observation skills….in my opinion.
One could compile a never ending list of subjects that this might apply to. By no means am I implying that one should not learn all one can about the subject they choose to paint….if that is one’s interest. This is only my opinion on this subject, and does not necessarily reflect any universal opinion or idea on the subject. I do find this an interesting topic, and I do believe strong observation skills trump knowledge of a subject as it relates to painting.
Again thanks for listening to my Cajun ramblings.

Education, Oil Painting Oil Painting, Subjects

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Robert Simone says

    April 15, 2013 at 7:55 am

    Agreed, the powers of observation and sound draftsmanship reign supreme. I also feel knowledge of subject matter is secondary. But it can be useful. Knowing how a boat should look or what it’s general proportions are can help one detect problems that may occur in drawing, etc. Good article, Hodges. Thanks!

    Reply
    • hodges says

      April 16, 2013 at 7:17 pm

      Robert; I would have to agree strongly that draftsmanship and high observation skills trump knowledge…..at least in most cases. Thanks for the comment!

      Reply
  2. Elizabeth Pollie says

    April 15, 2013 at 9:22 am

    This is so well put. I have so many people actually surprised that I neither own a horse or ride one. I agree, it is about observations on many levels. This includes emotional and intellectual perceptions. To me, a painting is a paticular response based on the unique vision of the artist who painted it. Thanks Hodges. Nice article!

    Reply
    • hodges says

      April 16, 2013 at 7:14 pm

      Thanks Elizabeth for being on the same page with me on this….particularly in regards to the emotional aspect of painting horses. You obviously love horses, or you could not put that much of yourself into these paintings. My passion for this animal, as I mentioned began early on and remains. You don’t own or ride a horse, yet you paint them with great observation skills. I look forward to hanging with you in the “Art of the Horse” at RS Hanna in May. Good luck.

      Reply
  3. Dave Henderson says

    April 15, 2013 at 11:08 am

    First of all, a big hello from a fellow former illustrator! I remember you from our old Joe Mendola days.
    I’ve always loved your work, and today you touch on something
    that, at least for me, borders on “pet peeve”. As you speak to what I’d call visual research here, a favorite example comes to mind. Many years ago now, I had a similar discussion with a publisher client. I was doing book covers for him and he expressed frustration with a cover an artist had submitted. The book hadn’t fared well, and the cover image had always bothered him, but he just couldn’t figure out why. This was a ghost story, and the view was looking through an open doorway toward a staircase with a landing. The stairs continued upward to the right. The idea of the illustration was to imply someone we couldn’t see was standing on the stairway. In a moment, I knew what was wrong with the image. Whoever did this cover never took the time to familiarize themselves with “stringers, treads, risers, and a balustrade” and how they all come together. Clearly, the artist had assumed they knew what stairs looked like because they’re familiar. But are they really? The reality is that without taking the time to gain some crucial familiarity with a subject, the artist puts them self in a position to figure it out, and this can lead to problems, and ultimately prove a disservice to the viewer. I think your boat example says it all. I don’t know the difference between lobster, oyster or shrimp boats, nor do I need to know what kind of engines power them, but if I’m showing a painting of lobster men in Maine, they’d better not be in shrimp boats.
    Over the years, I’ve painted many horses on book covers for “westerns”,
    but I would hardly call myself an equestrian artist. Today, my gallery wants me to paint a traditional portrait of Secretariat. I love a challenge, and I think this one will be fun. So a horse is a horse? I don’t think so. As I prepare for this painting, am I going to learn just what made Secretariat so special?
    You bet I will; I owe it to those who appreciate my work….

    Reply
    • hodges says

      April 16, 2013 at 7:05 pm

      Hi Dave, a big hello to another former illustrator! Illustrators are constantly asked to illustrate pictures of subjects they know little or nothing about until the assignment is in front of them. Researching subjects was a big part of the job…..as I recall. Finding images that could be used, and shooting reference was paramount….and dictated success or failure. Again, observation skills. Good luck with the Secretariat portrait. I’m sure it will be a great success! Thanks for the thoughtful comment.

      Reply
  4. Tom Martino says

    April 15, 2013 at 3:27 pm

    Hodges, I agree that direct observation goes beyond knowledge of the subject, particularly in the case of figurative art. I too had the experience of painting alongside an accomplished figure painter (actually holding an MFA in the subject). When we finished the session my painting friend’s figure painting, although flawless in ideal proportions, looked like a textbook example, not the subject figure on the modeling stand before us. Painting must involve close observation and sympathetic handling.

    Reply
    • hodges says

      April 16, 2013 at 6:55 pm

      Tom, this is exactly what I meant about everything looking alike if knowledge rather than observation is method applied. A very good example…thanks for the comment!

      Reply
  5. Theresa Grillo Laird says

    April 17, 2013 at 1:55 am

    Hodges, I completely agree that observing is the best way to go about painting what’s in front of you. Yet I still run into difficulty painting in a place with totally different light and colors than what I’m used to -California coast compared to the Florida coast for example.I can clearly see the differences but the more time I spend in a place the easier it is to get the paint to do what I’m after.

    Reply
    • hodges says

      April 17, 2013 at 8:34 am

      Theresa, of course there is an adjustment to be made with different light, but it still ultimately comes down to seeing it….some folks get it quicker than others do. It is like trying to paint from a north light studio with subtle cool light coming in after being accustomed to a stronger warm incandescent light…..or, grey day, as opposed to sunny day. Thanks for the great comment.

      Reply
  6. Austin Painter says

    April 20, 2013 at 11:26 am

    Since I paint most of my portraits from photographs, I have struggled with this same question. Knowing the subject allows you to add features that are not captured in the photo; so I think this is generally beneficial. But many times I add similar (imagined) features to paintings from photos, too. So it works either way.

    Reply
    • hodges says

      April 20, 2013 at 10:11 pm

      I think the struggle with photographs is universal. The biggest problem with photos is that the camera, as good as they are now, can’t see what the human eye can see. Obviously it is not always possible to have the live model to paint from, so I try to paint as much as possible from life…..if nothing else, it makes one aware of the deficiencies in photos. I find for example, shadows get inky in photos and need more air in them. Thanks for the comment.

      Reply
      • Tom Watson OPA says

        May 25, 2013 at 6:08 pm

        Hodges, during my 40 year career as a west coast illustrator, I too drew and painted a multitude of subject matter, and often I knew little about the subject.. in some cases it did not even exist. A fantastic illustration instructor I had, believed that if you learn to draw and paint the human figure convincingly, in all its complex animation and complicated perspectives, you could draw and paint anything.. with or without knowledge of the subject matter. His name was Robert (Bob) Foster, and he became a well known science fiction soft book cover illustrator during the 1960s’ and early 70s’. The great portrait painters of the past certainly knew less than friends or family about their subject, but they were masters of observation and knew what to look for in seeking out the personality of their subject. Without superior drawing and painting skills however, they could not convert their observations into a great portrait. I think individual taste also plays a big role in the equation.

        Reply

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Hodges Soileau
Hodges had a successful illustration career which lasted twenty five years. His art graced the covers of more than three hundred book covers. He worked for most of the major publishing houses in New York. Hodges was a twenty three year member of the prestigious Society of Illustrators in New York. During this time, he received many citations of merit for work exhibited in annual shows. He was selected to do the painting for the twenty ninth call for entries and chaired the thirty fifth annual exhibition.
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