oh, perhaps it's bacause I didn't hear the context (or because I'm danish and lack the understanding of the english language?). What does he mean, if I may ask? :-)
This gentleman is a master painter in that he realizes that there is a compromise in the process and a yielding, nothing forced, which is what comes through practice over years!
i'm taken by how kind and respectful he is about the whole process and subject relationship. great stuff. you can't have absolute precision and freedom...
It has far more personality, character, and expression when he painted the portrait like that. Love the texture of brush strokes. Gives it life and vibrancy.
Alex should do more of these sittings. The thought process that goes into creating them is fascinating and an interesting counterpoint to his own creative philosophy
I really enjoyed that, especially everything Andrew said from around 8:30 onwards - about what art and life is about. I also enjoyed hearing why he paints and what makes a successful painting, which he also touched on at the end. I've always felt that the value in a painting, esp in the age when we have photography, is in the capturing of the person's spirit. Something that I think you do well.
That was brilliant, superb and really enjoyed. Now I see how it’s done, you first make a mess then work your way out of it. Well that what it looked like. It’s also interesting to see how different artist go about painting. No real formula as such one can find their own way.
I loved this whole video. The questions and answers were most engaging and the finished painting was a great capture of the subject, imo. Thanks for another fabulous production, sir.
Exactness and freedom do not coexist in the same painting so he is right, you must choose whether you are wanting exactness or freedom with likeness. Well done!
I thought it was a great painting by a great artist and, for me, freedom always comes before likeness - but hey the likeness was also great! Shame some people are negative about other people's work - I bet they have no idea what it takes to get to the level both of you have attained. Thanks so much for sharing - so generous of you both.
I always appreciate your timelapses of how you approach a painting, and it was such a treat to get the same great footage of a different artist. Thank you!
Somewhere between absolute precision and freedom, you have to compile the information and choose where you want to go in that spectrum - Beautiful words. I guess it also depends on the audience, if your audience values likeness more than painting, well you know you wouldn't hit the mark there.
First of all: what an amazing portrait and painting too! And Alex, thank you so much for the video. I enjoyed every second, it was incredibly inspiring. I brought my pochade box with me on vacation. I definitely want to do a portrait of my partner
Love it...powerful, freehand,full of expression and you can see brushstrokes. The drawing of your face is not 100% but the way it is painted makes up for it. Still recognisable.
Good video . Iam in the midst of trying to paint portraits from small old photos and it’s just pure madness trying to blow them up larger and to capture a likeness in oil paint. No wonder why artists go mad. Lol
I have to add another comment. Those who quibble that the likeness isn't good enough should realise that when we're all dead no-one will know how good or not the likeness is, but if it's a great painting it will always be a great painting.
As the maker of the portrait in question I want to thank you for your amazingly considerate and generous comments, I do appreciate them enormously. My goal was always to engage in the proper spirit of painting - unfinished as the work was - and not to simply protect myself, thereby serving up to the world yet another soulless, over managed work. Many thanks again. Andy
I like the portrait and the likeness is there. However, there is some, in my opinion , fair criticism regarding proportions, etc. For instance, the lower lip is a bit too large. I am curious what the artist thinks about these criticisms. I realise exaggeration could be part of creative process. Look at some initial busts of Balzac by Rodin ( a sort of three dimensional daguerreotype) and subsequent versions with great exaggeration of facial features. I wonder whether this artist has done any corrections to the portrait.
I quite like the style which reminds L. Freud and maybe some line execution of F. Auerbach - but I did not quite like that from half length of the nose down to the chin the face/skull got elongated and because the different angle of the nose which should turn left along with the rest of the face it changed the whole. The forehead and the eyes much more resemble Alex features. But as it was said artists often add something from their own look - so perhaps that's the case. The Question remains to what extent so called free treatment justifies changing main proportions of the painted person's face?
lovely workmanship, seeing how he lays colour on colour, his remarks as commented on earlier are insightful, and parts of the portrait look like Alex, but generally the portrait looks likes someone's sexual fantasy and nothing like Alex.
Alex it is very difficult to comment on this one, personally I don’t think he really captured “you”. Yes there is a some likeness, I do appreciate the apprehension of both of you. But I have to be honest I prefer your style of painting as you really do capture a true likeness. I hope your friend is not offended as he was happy with the portrait and that is what is important. My reason, the face is too long and too frontal, if anything he’s made you look too old. There is too much of his own portrait, with a touch of you. Hope you accept an honest comment.
I think the reward could be endorphines showing up whenever you like your work in the process. That's very motivating, (particularly if you have ad(h)d like me).
I’ll just say that I didn’t see all that the rest of the commenters here seemed to see. It’s expressive alright. Maybe that’s the point. To me those values, especially in the shadow side are not “simplified”. But what the hell do I know?
Though I like his painterly qualities, it looks more like a cousin. The lack of true values lessens the success of a portrait that is meant to capture a likeness and spirit of a person.
In my opinion the portrait look is very much Alex. - And yes, there's been some masculinization going on that perhaps is more evident here in the painting than when we otherwise meet Alex in his videos, but I find it very similar to him, and I won't buy into finding it to be an exaggeration. It's an aspect of him - and as much Alex, just not (most importantly) the way he usually presents himself.
In this painting, the proportions of the features need some adjustments. The ears seem slightly too small and are positioned too high. The perspective is also a bit off; considering the camera's gaze is slightly above the middle, the top of the head should be larger and brighter, while the jawline should be smaller. The current depiction of the mandible disrupts the overall facial proportions. I believe that correcting these aspects could significantly enhance the painting's realism and impact.🤔🤔🤔
"as a portrait I'm happy, as a painting, I'm happier". True master words. thank you Alex, amazing painting/interview
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
oh, perhaps it's bacause I didn't hear the context (or because I'm danish and lack the understanding of the english language?). What does he mean, if I may ask? :-)
inspirational work. Andrew's final remarks about precision and control were insightful
This gentleman is a master painter in that he realizes that there is a compromise in the process and a yielding, nothing forced, which is what comes through practice over years!
i'm taken by how kind and respectful he is about the whole process and subject relationship. great stuff. you can't have absolute precision and freedom...
It has far more personality, character, and expression when he painted the portrait like that. Love the texture of brush strokes. Gives it life and vibrancy.
Alex should do more of these sittings. The thought process that goes into creating them is fascinating and an interesting counterpoint to his own creative philosophy
I definitely plan to do more demos with artists on my channel, but I'm not going to get them all want to paint me.
I really enjoyed that, especially everything Andrew said from around 8:30 onwards - about what art and life is about. I also enjoyed hearing why he paints and what makes a successful painting, which he also touched on at the end. I've always felt that the value in a painting, esp in the age when we have photography, is in the capturing of the person's spirit. Something that I think you do well.
Thanks Leo!
this is a different level from 'portrait artist of the year'. A master at work.
I couldn't agree more!
Beautiful. There was a moment there where I exclaimed out loud, “he got you”.
Thanks! I could definitely recognise myself, though I reckon he definitely made me look younger.
Thank you very much Alex for this useful and well set up video. I imagine a lot of people will find this capturing of portrait painting very helpful.
Thank you Paul! I'm glad you like it.
I hope so too.
Thanks for creating and posting this video Alex. It's one of those video's I'll come back to again and again.
Thank you very much Paul! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
So good, Andy. Loose and so full of energy. Just sublime.
@@rinaldocolombi3900 thank you Rin. That’s very generous of you.
What a fabulous piece of painting. A real joy to watch Andy paint. Thank you both.
Woooow, this one is CHOCK full of painting wisdoms. I love it! Great painting, great artist.
With having no formal training only RUclips free videos it's a freedom and mastery of painting I can't understand but magnificent to watch.🎨👏
Its all about love, shining through what you do! Happy new year to both of you!
Awesome! I love the freedom of the brush strokes
We see Andrews' enjoyment of portrait painting by his attitude of using bold brush work.
That was great , thanks to both Alex and Andrew
Thank you two of masters!!
That was brilliant, superb and really enjoyed. Now I see how it’s done, you first make a mess then work your way out of it. Well that what it looked like. It’s also interesting to see how different artist go about painting. No real formula as such one can find their own way.
Thank you very much John! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I loved this whole video. The questions and answers were most engaging and the finished painting was a great capture of the subject, imo. Thanks for another fabulous production, sir.
Excellent Alex. And thank you Andrew.
Thanks Andy! Glad you liked it.
A very enjoyable discussion- beautiful to watch the process of creativity.
Just fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing the experience with us.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
Exactness and freedom do not coexist in the same painting so he is right, you must choose whether you are wanting exactness or freedom with likeness. Well done!
This video was really helpful to me. I wished all the colours used are listed as it's always been the colours that helps a good painting.
Titanium white
Lemon yellow
Cadmium red
Magenta
Ultramarine
Raw umber
Yellow ochre
Regards
Andy J
Wonderful portrait and fascinating to hear Andrew's thoughts.
Very striking painting. I love the loose but yet precise approach. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Stefan!
This is exceptional. The world needs more of this right now.
What a fantastic commentary Andy gave and what a wonderful painting. Very, very inspirational! Thanks Alex, loved this.
what he says, the way he thinks and experiences painting is truly inspirational.
It is! I'm gkad you think so.
Ah this was fantastic thank you! Interesting, informative, insightful commentary too! Very helpful!
Thank you sally! Glad it was helpful.
I thought it was a great painting by a great artist and, for me, freedom always comes before likeness - but hey the likeness was also great! Shame some people are negative about other people's work - I bet they have no idea what it takes to get to the level both of you have attained. Thanks so much for sharing - so generous of you both.
Very interesting to see, thank you. Great initiative to do something like this
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
'wish I could paint like you two do.
I always appreciate your timelapses of how you approach a painting, and it was such a treat to get the same great footage of a different artist. Thank you!
Thank you very much! I'm glad you like it. I plan to feature more painters.
You both are very skilled and Im learning a lot.
Thank you Tyrone!
Great portrait and some good tips to apply when painting portraits, thank you!❤
Thank you Frances, glad ut was helpful.
Brilliant, I'm using Andrew's method, great results. 👍❤🇬🇧
Thank you! Glad it was helpful.
Loved this video, such talented and inspirational artists
Thank you very much Julie! Glad you liked it.
Somewhere between absolute precision and freedom, you have to compile the information and choose where you want to go in that spectrum - Beautiful words. I guess it also depends on the audience, if your audience values likeness more than painting, well you know you wouldn't hit the mark there.
I always look forward to your videos. This video was an absolute treat. I loved his style. I’ll watch it again but slowed down. Thanks
Thank you! Glad you like it.
First of all: what an amazing portrait and painting too! And Alex, thank you so much for the video. I enjoyed every second, it was incredibly inspiring.
I brought my pochade box with me on vacation. I definitely want to do a portrait of my partner
Well done! Good luck with it.
Wow I’m so glad I saw this. What a beautiful painter.
Thank you very much!
Its amazing how clean and tidy...
..the English speaking English are at explaining this process!!
So good!
Thank you❤ so love your lesson.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you both for sharing this. Very inspirational. I have Andrew's book; I recommend it.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Love it...powerful, freehand,full of expression and you can see brushstrokes. The drawing of your face is not 100% but the way it is painted makes up for it. Still recognisable.
Loved this
Fantastic !
Good video . Iam in the midst of trying to paint portraits from small old photos and it’s just pure madness trying to blow them up larger and to capture a likeness in oil paint. No wonder why artists go mad. Lol
I always find working larger more difficult as there is much more room for error.
Amazing!
Absolutely love it very good work
Thank you Joe!
Thanks so much Alex!!! Beautiful and useful. Greetings from Valparaiso, Chile.
Thank you Ricardo, glad it was helpful!
Speechless 😊
I have to add another comment. Those who quibble that the likeness isn't good enough should realise that when we're all dead no-one will know how good or not the likeness is, but if it's a great painting it will always be a great painting.
As the maker of the portrait in question I want to thank you for your amazingly considerate and generous comments, I do appreciate them enormously. My goal was always to engage in the proper spirit of painting - unfinished as the work was - and not to simply protect myself, thereby serving up to the world yet another soulless, over managed work. Many thanks again. Andy
I like the portrait and the likeness is there. However, there is some, in my opinion , fair criticism regarding proportions, etc. For instance, the lower lip is a bit too large. I am curious what the artist thinks about these criticisms. I realise exaggeration could be part of creative process. Look at some initial busts of Balzac by Rodin ( a sort of three dimensional daguerreotype) and subsequent versions with great exaggeration of facial features. I wonder whether this artist has done any corrections to the portrait.
OG painter, all observation and no hype
Very nice
His sketching style seems really unique. I love the muscularity he added to your face. Very masculine.
great!
Salamat po
How many hours did Alex pose?
@@mike7gerald two and a bit
I quite like the style which reminds L. Freud and maybe some line execution of F. Auerbach - but I did not quite like that from half length of the nose down to the chin the face/skull got elongated and because the different angle of the nose which should turn left along with the rest of the face it changed the whole. The forehead and the eyes much more resemble Alex features. But as it was said artists often add something from their own look - so perhaps that's the case. The Question remains to what extent so called free treatment justifies changing main proportions of the painted person's face?
Ahh.. I recognise that Cadmium Red Andy!
Very well spotted!
@@andrewjames3220 Now that tube of paint is famous I want to meet her again..
@@jakefernart I’ll take a look at her diary.
Прекрасно.
lovely workmanship, seeing how he lays colour on colour, his remarks as commented on earlier are insightful, and parts of the portrait look like Alex, but generally the portrait looks likes someone's sexual fantasy and nothing like Alex.
❤❤❤❤
His painting has more personality then your face, he, he!😂 Fantastik!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
“Like I’ve never done this before” Beginners mind.
Try it and you’ll find out.
like it its you alex very nice
Thank you Kaj!
The language of professional artists is so colorful itself. I just laugh when I look at my own portraits that are so bland compared to this one.
Keep practicing, you'll get there.
This painter must imagine your head as pulled taffy.
Alex it is very difficult to comment on this one, personally I don’t think he really captured “you”. Yes there is a some likeness, I do appreciate the apprehension of both of you. But I have to be honest I prefer your style of painting as you really do capture a true likeness. I hope your friend is not offended as he was happy with the portrait and that is what is important. My reason, the face is too long and too frontal, if anything he’s made you look too old. There is too much of his own portrait, with a touch of you. Hope you accept an honest comment.
I think the reward could be endorphines showing up whenever you like your work in the process. That's very motivating, (particularly if you have ad(h)d like me).
Normal-speed video of longer duration would have been better for learners.
I’ll just say that I didn’t see all that the rest of the commenters here seemed to see. It’s expressive alright. Maybe that’s the point. To me those values, especially in the shadow side are not “simplified”. But what the hell do I know?
Though I like his painterly qualities, it looks more like a cousin. The lack of true values lessens the success of a portrait that is meant to capture a likeness and spirit of a person.
You look like you could kick some ass
In my opinion the portrait look is very much Alex. - And yes, there's been some masculinization going on that perhaps is more evident here in the painting than when we otherwise meet Alex in his videos, but I find it very similar to him, and I won't buy into finding it to be an exaggeration. It's an aspect of him - and as much Alex, just not (most importantly) the way he usually presents himself.
I’m sorry but he made you look older than your younger age.
In this painting, the proportions of the features need some adjustments. The ears seem slightly too small and are positioned too high. The perspective is also a bit off; considering the camera's gaze is slightly above the middle, the top of the head should be larger and brighter, while the jawline should be smaller. The current depiction of the mandible disrupts the overall facial proportions. I believe that correcting these aspects could significantly enhance the painting's realism and impact.🤔🤔🤔
bruh common man ...ngl youre better than that dude.
i don't like his style at all.
It’s very important to be creative and not to want to be liked.
@@andrewjames3220 I’m reminded of a David Bowie quote “It’s dangerous for an artist to fulfill other people’s expectations”.
Wow❤ great work ❤