http://www.geocities.com/~jlhagan/advanced/what_makes_a_masterpiece.htm
4-3 WHAT MAKES A MASTERPIECE?
A painting masterpiece is ’a portal or magic window that will draw the imagination.’
How is this done and why are we humans drawn to certain paintings like Icarus was to the sun, or
flies to fly paper?
Why, because the painter desires the viewer to enter into the painting, and once there, to make
them want to dwell awhile. And how do they do this? By imagination and the use of all the means,
tricks, skill, subterfuge, and techniques at their disposal.The techniques include texture, design, color, chiaroscuro, aerial perspective, drawing perspective,
form and shape. These skills have been honed over thousands of years and are a proven method to
attract the curious and entice even the dullest imagination. They are the basic tools of the painter.During the previous two centuries a few extra skills have been added to the painters arsenal.- Depth of field.
- Impressionistic use of color
- Brushstrokes and the viscous use of modern paints.
These also are legitimate tools painters can employ to entice the viewers into their world.
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